Home Blog Page 3244

FG Partners Diasfund to Establish Africa’s First Digital Museum

By
BWN
-

The Federal Government, in conjunction with Diasfund Africa Limited, has concluded arrangements to establish the first digital museum in Africa. The African Heritage Digital Museum would be inaugurated on the International Museum Day featuring about 1,000 high resolution photographs of the oldest man-made artefacts in Nigeria.

The director-general (DG) of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), Mallam Yusuf Abdallah Usman, said that the idea behind the project was to highlight the importance of Nigeria’s cultural objects to Nigerians and the global community, adding that there was a need for foreigners to appreciate the aesthetic value of the objects.

Usman stated that, “Given the number of people engaged in the use of internet, we are hopeful that a lot of money will be generated though the revenue will be shared between the commission and Diasfund. We, however, do not have a fixed amount that we will realise from the project.”

He added that Diasfund, through Crown Fraud, has been advocating for the return of the Queen Idia Mask and other Nigerian cultural heritage in British museums through different television appearances and many writings in the print media in the United Kingdom.

Responding, the director of Markets and Investments, Diasfund Africa Limited, Mr Obinna Egele, said that the project is designed to be easily accessible through mobile and other portable devices, insisting that the digital museum have global reach.

Supreme Court Dismisses Saraki’s Appeal Against Code of Conduct Tribunal

By
BWN
-
Senate President, Bukola Saraki at the Code of Conduct Tribunal

The Supreme Court has dismissed Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki’s appeal against the Code of Conduct Bureau for lack of merit.

The Court affirmed the Court of Appeal judgement that the Code of Conduct Tribunal is validly constituted.

The apex court had adjourned till February 5, 2016 to determine the appeal seeking to quash charges against the Senate President, after it entertained arguments from both Dr. Saraki and the Federal Government in December 2015.

The Federal Government leveled a 13-count criminal charge against the former Kwara State Governor before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) over alleged false declaration of assets.

Dr. Saraki was accused of deliberately manipulating the assets declaration form that he filled prior to his assumption of office as the Senate President, by making anticipatory declaration of assets as well as operated foreign bank account while in office as a public servant.

FG to Reinstate Sacked NNPC Workers in Imo State

By
BWN
-

Federal Government has promised not to cut down the number of employees of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation. This is coming after the threat by labour unions to storm Imo state today for a mass action if the state government fails to reinstate the workers that it recently sacked.

The Federal Government however stated that instead of reducing the number of workers at the NNPC, it would expand the operations of the national oil firm in order to make it globally competitive.

The Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, the National President, NUPENG, and Deputy President, Nigeria Labour Congress, Mr. Achese Igwe, said some concessions were reached at the meeting.

Igwe said, “We are going to vehemently resist any attempt to sack workers. We have advised service companies and multinational firms that are in the act of outsourcing and contracting that this will portend the loss of jobs for Nigerians. We say no to them because that is not what this government is all about.

“The government today talks about job creation and not job losses. With the current economic challenge we are having in our country, we need not to lose jobs that are already created.”

“We have said clearly and I am speaking as the NUPENGASSAN chairman today, that any attempt to cause job losses in the oil and gas sector, especially at the NNPC, we will definitely react. We will resist it accordingly and we will do it within the framework of what labour unions are known for.”

He said an ultimatum, which elapses today had been given to the state government to reinstate the sacked workers, adding that failure to comply would result in mass action by labour unions.

Lagos State Government Pays N649 Million Pension to 119 Retirees

By
BWN
-

The Lagos State Pension Board in January issued retirement benefit bond certificates worth N649 million to 119 retirees from the mainstream civil service, local governments, State Universal Basic Education Board, Teachers Establishment and Pension Office, and other parastatals of government.

“The total accrued pension rights paid by the state government from August 2015 to January 2016 is N10.652bn. Accrued pension rights are gratuity and pension entitlements due to staff who transited to the Contributory Pension Scheme but had served under the ‘Pay As You Go’ pension scheme dispensation,” it stated.

The Director-General, LASPEB, Mrs. Folashade Onanuga, advised the beneficiaries to take good care of their health and invest the money they were about to collect wisely, and that the should be wary of fraudsters and illegal business proposals.

“If you cannot think of any business at the moment, keep your money in fixed deposit accounts with banks,” Onanuga advised the recipients.

Fashola Comes Under Fire Over Electricity Tariff Hike

By
BWN
-

The Trade Union Congress has upbraided the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola for insisting that increase in electricity tariff is the only way to enhance stable power supply in Nigeria.

The union disagreed with the National Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, which announced the increase last month.

Part of their statement reads:

According to the TUC, the minister’s argument that an Act of the National Assembly actually empowered the commission to increase tariff and that the Act cannot be tampered with even by the federal parliament, was certainly “very lame, too simplistic and misleading.”

“It is high time the minister and proponents of the tariff increase are reminded that one of the major reasons Nigerians demanded a change of leadership in May 2015 was so they could heave a sigh of relief. A major expectation was that we would, for once, stop paying for services that are not rendered.

“We never anticipated that the already fraudulent billing system would be made worse. We saw no NERC/FASHOLAGATE in the horizon!

“While we agree that the cost of procuring raw materials to generate electricity could be high, does it make any economic sense that the poor barber who still finds himself having to fuel his small generator even at the current high rate should be made to pay more for a service whose supply is very irregular and uncertain?

“With the benefit of hindsight it has become evident that the unbundling of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, was a well-crafted ploy to deceive Nigerians into believing that it would address their pains”, it added.

The TUC which enumerated reasons why the hike should be rejected by all Nigerians, described it as dictatorial.

It insisted that “due process stipulated in extant laws for such increment was not observed. We refer especially to Section 76 of the Power Sector Reform Act 2005.”

Other reasons as given by TUC include:

“•There has been no significant improvement in service delivery. Worse still the vast majority of consumers are yet to be metered in accordance with the signed privatisation Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) of 1st November, 2013 which stipulated that all consumers should be metered within 18 months gestation period.

“•There is a subsisting court order dated 28th May, 2015 by Justice Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos in the case of Toluwani Yemi-Adebiyi vs NERC & Ors. that no increment be made until the determination of the substantive suit. Any increment at this time would be failing to take cognisance of the present biting economic recession in the country and would further impoverish the poor masses.”

“Privatisation in any part of the world is meant to inject fresh funds into the concerned sector, and not to impose ridiculous tariffs on the groaning masses. The power situation in Nigeria is proving the reverse.

Aisha Buhari Flags Off New Maternal, New-Born Child Health Week in Kebbi State

By
BWN
-
aisha buhari

The wife of the President Hajiya Aisha Buhari, start up the Maternal and New- Born Child Health(MNCH) in Jega Local Government Area in Kebbi state. She also inaugurated a new 80-Bed capacity general hospital named after her.

Hajiya Buhari also promised to ensure that maternal and child health centres were provided in communities across the country, and her desire to promote and support maternal and child health care especially the reduction in maternal mortality.

She also donated assorted foodstuff, textile materials and blankets to Internally Displaced Persons.

Wife of the state governor, Hajiya Zainab, said activities for the week would involve promotion of health and well being of mothers and children. She appreciated the donor agencies for supporting the health care sector of the state and pledged to expand the scope of impact especially in rural areas.

The Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole, added that the Federal Government would enhance healthcare delivery in the country.

4 Valentine’s Day Gifts for Your Techie Sweetheart

By
BWN
-

Valentine is significant because it is hinged on sharing gifts with that person you care about so much. But, if you are some of the lucky few dating a tech geek, you may probably have a hard time deciding what to buy for them as the expect to get the most stylish gadgets. In line with this, Jovago.com, Africa’s No 1 hotel booking portal identifies four great gifts for your techie sweetheart.

Smart Jewelry

techie 2

Innovation has led to the production of different smart devices from smart watches to smart homes and smartphones. Now, there is smart jewelry.

Women love to look good but they will even be happier if they are made to look and work better by the gifts their men give them. You can’t miss with a smart jewelry on Valentine’s Day. Buy her ‘Mica’, which is a gem-encrusted jewelry and features a curved sapphire touchscreen. It  can help  check emails, and text messages. Get her this, she will be wowed.

Red Beats By Dre Pill Speakers

techie 3

If your lover is a music addict, then it is time to replace his or her music boombox with the Red Beats By Dre Phill speakers. Why Beats by Dre speakers? It is steeped in quality and is a definition of sophistication. It features a rechargeable battery that can last up to seven hours and is a perfect valentine gift.


Customized iPhone Case
techie 4
If your man just ordered an iPhone recently but it does not have a protective case, you can buy one for him. The difference with the one you buy is that you can customize it to suit your taste. For example, you can ingrain both your pictures when customizing the case. He will be pleasantly surprised at the effort.

“You Are The CSS to my HTML Mug”
techie 5
CSS and HTML are vocabularies used in coding. If both of you are into coding, order the “You are the CSS to my HTML mug”. This is another way to tell your partner that “You complete me”. Of course, the mud will always remind them of you.

Imo Doctors Commence Warning Strike Over Shooting of Colleague by Police

By
BWN
-

Doctors in Imo state have threatened to embark on a strike action following the shooting of one of their colleagues by police.

On Thursday, a member of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Imo State branch, participating in a peaceful demonstration against the concessioning of public health institutions by Gov. Rochas Okorocha was shot dead by the police.

The victim, Dr Bede Azudialor, a Consultant Physician with the Federal Medical Centre , Owerri, was allegedly shot in the head by anti-riot policemen drafted to monitor the demonstration by the doctors.

The State Chairman of the Nigerian Guild of Medical Doctors, Dr. Darlington Akukwu, who briefed newsmen on the incident in Owerri, announced the commencement of a three-day warning strike by doctors in the state following the incident.

“ Following the shooting of our member, doctors in Imo State will from today commence a three-day warning strike during which the Nigerian Police Force must name the policeman that shot our member.

“The warning strike beginning from Feb. 4, will last for three days and if after the expiration of three days, the person who shot at our colleague fails to come out, doctors will start an indefinite strike action’’, Akukwu said.

He urged the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Solomon Arase to compel the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Taiwo Lakanu , to produce the culprit who perpetrated the act.
Akukwu further urged President Muhammadu Buhari to thoroughly investigate the matter.

The peaceful protest was said to have started from the NMA office on Port Harcourt Road, Owerri at about 12 noon.

It was gathered that when the doctors got to Orlu Road junction, Owerri, anti-riot police in about 10 Hilux vans started throwing tear gas canisters on the group during which a gun was suspected to have been fired, which injured the doctor.

“It was in the process of tear gassing of the group that Dr Bede Azudiaro fell down and raised alarm that he had been shut in the head, with blood gushing from his head.

Earlier, the state chairman of NMA, Dr Hyacinth Emele, had told journalists that the association was protesting against the concessioning of public health institutions by the state government and so many other mundane things happening within the organization saying the life of the people of  imo state was at risk.

When contacted, the PPRO in the state (DSP) Andrew Enwerem said that the police only used tear gas to disperse the protesting doctors when they became riotous.

“Police did not shoot anybody and nobody who is shot on the head will ever remain alife.

“Let them produce a doctor’s report to confirm that it was a real case of shooting on the head. Anybody can pick any blood stained material from anywhere and claim that he was shot”, Enwerewhe said.

Prominent Nigerians Working Against Anti-Corruption War – Osinbajo

By
BWN
-

Prof Yemi Osinbajo has alleged that some prominent Nigerians are working against the success of the anti-corruption crusade of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The Vice President, who made this known on Thursday during a meeting in his office with a delegation from the Moslem Congress of Nigeria, said the federal government regular gets messages from some Nigerian elites saying cool down.

Prof Osinbajo also remarked that the masses of the Nigerian people on the contrary have a clearer understanding of right and wrong.

Although some elites are saying “it is not a big deal,” and that government should merely ask the looters of the commonwealth of the nation to return the money and go, Prof. Osinbajo expressed gladness that “a new tribe of Nigerians who would not compromise their values but would maintain a sense of right and wrong is now emerging”.
“The man on the street is very clear, so whatever some of these elites say, we shall keep our focus on the masses who voted for us,” the Vice President declared.

He said it was simply unacceptable that in the last 16 years there was not a single federal government completed road project, not to even talk of rail.

“The reason is corruption,” he asserted, adding that the cost of projects were often inflated as people entrusted with public trust struggle to enrich themselves at the expense of the people.

“The insurgency has gone on for 6 years because government could not adequately equip the military,” he stated

 

House of Reps to SUmmon Total Nigeria Over Gas Leakage

By
BWN
-

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Public Petitions has threatened to compel the Managing Director of Total Nigeria, Mr. Alexis Vovk, to appear before it if he fails to honour its earlier invitation by Monday next week in respect to a gas leak in Obita/Egita  communities in The Rivers State.

The communities had demanded for the sum of N7 billion compensation following a gas leak that affected their lands, through a petition sent to the House by their lawyer.

The representatives of Total Nigeria said that the petitioners had already threatened to sue Total abroad.

The chairman of the committee, Hon. Uzoma Nkem-Abonta thinks its uncalled for to sue the oil company abroad.

Nkem-Abonta added the Managing Director of Total Nigeria should appear in person in the bid to resolve the matter, adding that he would be compelled to do so if he refused to appear before the committee at its next sitting.

FG Distributes Anti-Rabies Vaccines to 9 Faculties of Veterinary Medicine

By
BWN
-

The Federal Ministry of Health has handed out 1,812 anti rabies vaccines to nine accredited faculties and colleges of veterinary medicine in the country.

Director of Neglected Tropical Disease in the ministry, Mrs Ifeoma Anagbogu, said the Federal Government was committed to the fight against the disease.

According to her, the release of the free vaccines to beneficiary institutions is coming as a result of request by the Veterinary Council of Nigeria to ensure that all clinical veterinary students are vaccinated against the disease.

“We did not hesitate to make the vaccines available because the veterinarians are always at the forefront of the prevention and control of the virus, although, the disease has not been reported in Africa countries but the World Health Organisation (WHO) has recently given a red alert on the disease.” she said.

Anagbogu bemoaned that some people go as far as sleeping with these animals in the same bed, which apparently is dangerous.

“Every case of dog bite should henceforth be reported to the nearest hospital or relevant authorities for quick action at all you must keep these animals for whatsoever reason, you must ensure that they are properly taken care of and up to date on their vaccine.” she advised.

“Development Partners have showed interest in working with us towards eradicating the disease through creating more awareness to Nigerians, ” she added.

She said that rabies is a viral disease that causes acute inflammation of the brain in human, adding that domestic animals such as dogs, cats, cattle and bats transfer the virus to human through bites and scratches.

Nigerians At Risk Of Starvation By 2050 – Minister of Agriculture

By
BWN
-

On Thursday, Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh, warned that Nigerians were at the risk of starving to death by 2050 if nothing was done to ensure all-year-round farming.

The minister made this disclosures when he defended the 2016 budget proposal of his ministry before the joint Committee on Agriculture.

According to him, the present mode of farming in Nigeria was incapable of sustaining the  increasing population in the country.

He said there was an urgent need for all stakeholders in the agricultural sector to work towards improving ‎mechanised farming and irrigation in order to ensure all-year-round farming that will avert the problem.

“We have written to state governments to encourage them to develop dams and canals so that agriculture becomes an all-year-round activity and it is not confined to the rainy season alone.

“Four or five months of farm activity cannot sustain the country for 12 months. Besides, by 2050, Nigeria’s population will be very close to 500 million, going by the current rate of growth.

“This is just 34 years from now. If we carry on at the current rate of one crop per year and very low mechanisation, Nigeria runs a risk of starving to death,’’ he said.

Ogbeh also said the current crisis between herdsmen and rural farmers was a major setback for the agricultural sector in the country.

Nestle, Glaxosmithkline in Court Over Alleged Fake Promo

By
BWN
-

Nigeria has filed criminal charges against Glaxosmithkline Nigeria Plc, the Nestle Nigeria Plc and their officials, over alleged fake lottery promo.

The ten count criminal charge number FHC/L/478C/15 was filed before a Federal high court in Lagos by the Police Legal Officer from Force Criminal Investigation Department, Force Headquarters, Abuja.

According to the charge, Dayanand Thandalam Siram, Jonathan Murray, Uche Uwechia, Glaxosmithkline Consumer Nigeria PLC and others now at large between October 2014 and October 2015, induced the citizens of Nigeria to buy their products using the gimmicry of “LUCOZADE AND RIBENA BIG CASH GIVE AWAY”.

The accused were also alleged to have established and kept the premises of GSK HOUSE 1, INDUSTRIAL AVENUE, ILUPEJU, Lagos as a place for the purpose of lottery, to be used for obtaining by false pretence from the Nigerian populace.

The offence alleged to have been committed by Glaxosmithkline Consumer Nigeria Plc and its officials are contrary to and punishable under section(1)3 of the advance fee fraud and other related offences Act laws of the Federation of Nigeria.

It was also alleged that, Rahul Culaco, Omolara Banjoko, Adebayo Elegbe, Shelewa Ashimi, Friesland Campina Wamco Nigeria Plc. same time and place used the premises of their company for the purpose of obtaining by false pretence from the Nigerian Populace.

The case has been adjourned till next month when all the accused and their company will be arraigned before the court.
In a separate development, Nigeria has filed another ten count criminal charge of sponsoring fake promo against Nestle Nigeria Plc and two of its officials.

In the said criminal charge FHC/ L/477C/15, it was alleged that GORD HON, BEEBEE AYEKU, and NESTLE NIGERIA PLC between October, 2014 and October 2015 induced citizens to buy their product in the guise of lottery, captioned “YEAR -END SHOPPERS BAG PROMO.” Participants were assured of winning prizes.

An affidavit by a deputy superintendent of Police, Gyu Musa, attached to the police enforcement unit team of the National Lottery Regulatory Commission Abuja, averred that investigation in respect of the case had been concluded and that all major documentary exhibits required for the prosecution of the case had been obtained, except the arrest of certain persons.

Musa said prima facie case of obtaining by false pretences and lottery offences had been established against the accused persons on record.

Delta State Finally Signs Contributory Health Insurance Scheme Into Law

By
BWN
-

A bill for the establishment of the Delta State Contributory Health Insurance Scheme has been signed into law by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, who expressed that new law would make healthcare more accessible and affordable.

The bill was sent to the Delta State House of Assembly on 22 June, 2015 and passed on 9 December, 2015.

The presentation of the bill and ceremony was witnessed by the Executive Secretary, National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Mr Olorunfemi Akingbade, the secretary to the state government (SSG), Mr Festus Agas, the Leader, Delta State House of Assembly, Hon Tim Owhefere, the commissioner for information, Mr Patrick Ukah, that of health, Mr David Edevbie and his health ministry counterpart, Dr Nicholas Azinge.

Okowa expressed appreciation to the NHIS for sending its personnel to help in assessment of health facilities across the state.

He described the contributory scheme as “unique” and noted that the states had a crucial role to play if the national health insurance scheme would be successful but noted that too many states have not been forthcoming in helping to make the project succeed.

Building Collapse: LASG Asks Court to Dismiss Synagogue’s Suit

By
BWN
-

The Lagos State government has urged a Lagos High Court in Ikeja to dismiss with substantial cost, a suit filed by the Registered Trustees of Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), challenging the verdict of the Coroner Inquest into the collapse of a six-storey building within the church premises on September 12, 2014 that led to the death of 116 persons.

The verdict of the Coroner, presided over by Magistrate Oyetade Komolafe, was delivered on July 8, 2015 and same indicted the church and its engineers for criminal negligence and recommended them for prosecution.

The Lagos State government had thereafter, filed 111 counts criminal charge against the trustees of the church, the two engineers and two companies before Justice Lawal Akapo also of the Ikeja High Court.

Magistrate Komolafe had held that the building that killed the victims was built without approval, adding that its collapse was due to structural defect.

But the church and its engineers, Oladele Ogundeji and Akinbela Fatiregun, rejected the verdict, describing it as unreasonable and one-sided.

When the matter came up before Justice Alogba on Thursday, lawyer to the Trustees, Mr E.L. Akpofure (SAN) said that Magistrate Komolafe erred in law to have sat as Coroner Court in Alimosho District, which he argued was non-existent.

Akpofure also referred to an argument of the Lagos State government to the effect that the criminal charge filed before Justice Akapo was pursuant to the investigation conducted by the Police and not the decision of the Coroner, saying that such argument was a confirmation that no investigation was conducted because the Police never interrogated the Trustees of the church.

In response, Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Adeniji Kazeem, said on Thursday that the issue of wrong heading of the nomenclature of the Coroner was a mere irregularity which lacked the vibe to render the proceedings of the Coroner invalid.

While describing it as a mere technical point, Kazeem said that such argument was not directed at substantial justice and as such, the court should discountenance it.

Justice Alogba, in a brief bench ruling, said that he would give the matter the urgency it deserved being a matter of public importance.

The judge consequently fixed February 19 for judgment on the matter.

Electricity Tariff Hike: NLC, TUC to Engage in Nationwide Protest

By
BWN
-

The Nigerian Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress, civil society allies and electricity consumers across the country have concluded plans to hold a nationwide protest on Monday over the 45% increase in electricity tariff which took effect on Monday, 1st of February 2016.

NLC president, Ayuba Wabba, the members of the union have been sufficiently mobilized to encourage Nigerians to come out in their numbers to support the protest.

He said,  “ The Abuja rally will start at Labour House, Central Business District at 8.00am before moving to the NERC head office at Adamawa Plaza, Plot 1099, First Avenue, Off Shehu Shagari Way, Central Business District. From the NERC office, the rally will roll to the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company at Zone 4. The rally will mobilise from there to the National Assembly”

“This protest rally has become necessary after all effort to make NERC shelve the idea of increase failed.  Indeed, rather than see reason with Nigerians, the minister for power, works and housing has been advancing spurious argument in justification.” he added.

FG Will Rehabilitate Rail Transportation – Transport Minister

By
BWN
-

Mr Rotimi Amaechi, the Minister of Transport says that the main focus of the Federal Government is to rehabilitate the Rail System inorder to make transportation easy and accessible to all Nigerians.

He made the disclosure to reporters on Thursday at the Government House in Oshogbo, the Osun State capital in southwest Nigeria.

He said that he was in the state for an assessment tour of some Federal Government road projects embarked upon by the Osun‎ State government in line with the directive of the Federal Executive Council.

The Minister also hinted that other sectors in the Ministry of Transport such as maritime, road and aviation would also be given due attention.

He said that the Federal Government, having successfully reached an agreement with the Chinese government, would soon embark on the construction of Lagos-Kano rail line.

Mr Amaechi also disclosed that the construction of four terminal buildings was already underway in Lagos, Kano, Abuja and Port Harcourt ‎as part of the ongoing reform in the aviation sector.

NDA Investigates Case of Cadets Harassing Civilian in Viral Video

By
BWN
-

The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) says it is investigating a video that has gone viral on the internet showing some military cadets beating a young man for allegedly complimenting a female cadet.
A statement issued on Thursday by the academy’s spokesman, Musa Yahaya, said that preliminary investigation into the matter has confirmed that the incident occurred somewhere in Lagos in 2014 while the cadets were on break.

The statement noted that the NDA, being a responsible institution that is saddled with the task of producing the nation’s future military leaders would not in anyway, tolerate such unruly and flagrant mistreatment of Nigerians.

It further explained that the current leadership of the academy would ensure that the matter is thoroughly investigated and disciplinary loopholes addressed.

FIRS Begins Tax Audit on NNPC, MDAs

By
BWN
-

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has begun a tax audit of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in its bid to ascertain and remit all tax revenues due to the government into the Federation Account.

This was disclosed by the Executive Chairman, FIRS, Mr. Babatunde Fowler, who said the audit was being carried out as part of measures aimed at boosting tax revenue in the 2016 fiscal period.

Fowler revealed that the FIRS had received approval from the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, to begin a joint audit of all Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the government.

He said the need for the joint audit arose owing to the fact that the arrangement where government agencies were to deduct Withholding Tax and Value Added Tax from contractors and remit same to the Federation Account had not yielded the desired results, adding that all banks operating in the country must ensure that all tax revenues of government were remitted to the Federation Account.

The FIRS boss expressed optimism that with the new measures put in place by the agency, the country would from March begin to see an increase in the level of compliance by the MDAs on Withholding Tax and VAT. He commended the FIRS for rising up to the challenge of funding the budget through tax revenue as a result of the decline in oil revenue.

He, however, drew the attention of the FIRS to queries raised by the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation about the non-disclosure of the four per cent cost of collection in the agency’s statement of accounts.

Ogun State Commences New ‘Welfare Insurance Policy’ for Transport Unions

By
BWN
-
Ogun Unveils OLARMS Portal For Land Sales, Registration
Ogun Unveils OLARMS Portal For Land Sales, Registration

The Ogun State Government has begun a new ‘Welfare Insurance Policy’ aimed at creating opportunities for its workers to save for the rainy day, and has encouraged transport unions operating in the state to embrace the new development.

The General Manager of the Ogun State Parks and Garages Development Board, Alhaji Ayo Ogunsolu, advised in Abeokuta, during a one-day workshop organised in collaboration with Capital Express Assurance Limited.

Ogunsolu, who was represented by the Director of Administration and Supplies, Mr. Lola Sotola, said the insurance policy was essential as it created an avenue for them to receive instant response in times of need, adding that it was an opportunity to save for the future.

According to the National Head of Marketing, Capital Express Assurance Limited, Mr. Mathew Ogwezhi, interested clients would pay N60 on a daily basis. He said the money would enable the company to insure their clients against circumstances beyond their control.

The Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the Welfare Insurance Policy was a step in the right direction.

He advised transport unions in the state to eject unscrupulous elements in their midst, adding that commercial motorcyclists who were fond of wearing earrings and dreadlocks, posed threats to the security of the state.

1...3,2433,2443,245...3,288Page 3,244 of 3,288

Recent Posts