The Nation Newspaper

Tag: FCT

  • Buhari reconstitutes board of FCT Internal Revenue Service

    Buhari reconstitutes board of FCT Internal Revenue Service

    •Appoints Abdulahi Attah as chair 

    President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the reconstitution of the Board of Federal Capital Territory Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS) with Abdulahi Oteh Attah as Chairman/Chief Executive.

    This was contained in a circular dated April 21, 2017 and signed by the FCT Permanent Secretary, Dr. Babatope Ajakaiye.

    Members of the Board are Ahmed Garba, Barrister Hamza Hashim, Saa Godwin Gbue, Edward Adedamola, Mrs. Blessing Ifeyinwa and Ms. Benedicta Atto.

    The circular added that this is in addition to the Statutory members of the Board provided for in Section 3(2)(a) of the FCT-IRS Act 2015 which include the following directors/officials of the FCT Administration:

    1. Director of Treasury – Deputy Chairman
    2. Solicitor-General, Legal Services Secretariat – Member
    3. Director of Land Administration – Member
    4. Director, Administration & Finance (Area Council Services Secretariat) – Member
    5. Co-coordinator, Abuja Infrastructure and Investment Centre – Member
    6. Director, Department of Economic Planning, Research and Statistics – Member
    7. Director of Information & Communications – Member

    According to the statement made available to newsmen by Deputy Director/Chief Press Secretary, Muhammad Sule, FCT Minister, Mallam Muhammad Bello, has also approved the redeployment of Barrister Harisu Umar of the FCT Legal Services Secretariat to the FCT-IRS as Secretary to the Board.

    The appointment of the Chairman of the Board is subject to the confirmation of the National Assembly, in line with the enabling Act.

  • Meningitis: Expert calls for effective response strategies

    “The committee should be responsible for reviewing the antibiotic vulnerability of Neisseria meningitis serotypes in the country.

    “Such committee can then use current trend and data on antibiotic resistance to formulate appropriate prophylaxis and treatment by state, zones or the country as a whole,’’ he said.

    NAN reports that there has been an outbreak of Cerebro Spinal Meningitis (CSM) across 16 states of the country since November 2016, of which a new strain of the disease called “stereotype C’’ had emerged.

    As at April 3, there were 2,524 suspected cases with 336 deaths recorded in 90 local government areas in the affected states.

    The states included Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Nasarawa , Jigawa, FCT, Gombe, Taraba , Yobe, Kano, Osun, Cross Rivers, Lagos and Plateau.

    Meningitis outbreaks peak in the dry season in certain states in the Northern region due to low humidity and dusty conditions and usually end as the rainy season approaches.

    The bacteria that cause it can be spread through exchange of saliva, which can occur during common activities such as kissing, sharing utensils and drinking glasses.

    The risk factors for meningitis also include living in close quarters such as dormitories, sneezing and coughing as well as smoking or being exposed to smoke.

    Also, particular lifestyle such as staying out late or irregular sleeping habits could put people at greater risk for meningitis, by weakening their immune system.

    Some common symptoms include high fever, stiff neck, confusion, sensitivity to light, headaches and vomiting.

    According to the WHO, even when the disease is diagnosed early and adequate treatment begins, five per cent to 10 per cent of patients die, typically within 24 to 48 hours of the onset of symptoms.

    Vaccination against the three types of bacteria that can cause meningitis still remains one of the most effective ways to be protected against certain types of bacterial meningitis, alongside avoiding the risk factors.

     

  • Businessman docked for alleged issuance of dud cheques

    A businessman, Sunday Ukabia, was on Monday arraigned in a Gudu Upper Area Court, Abuja, for allegedly issuing four Diamond Bank dud cheques to the tune of N5 million to one Mr Henry Ebuka.

    Ukabia, of Banex Plaza Wuse II, is facing a count charge of cheating.

    The prosecutor, Mr Fidelis Ogbobe, had told the court that one Mr Henry Ebuka, of Suite 25, Emas Plaza, Wuse II reported the matter at the FCT Police Command on March 21.

    He said during police investigation, it was discovered that the defendant issued the complainant with four Diamond Bank cheques amounting to N5 million.

    The cheques were dated Dec.14, 2015, Nov. 10, 2013 and Feb.11, 2014 respectively.

    Ogbobe said when the cheques were presented in the bank, they were all dishonoured for lack of funds in the account.

    He also said that during police investigations, the defendant admitted issuing the cheques.

    He said the offence was contrary to Section 322 of Penal Code.

    The accused however pleaded not guilty to the charge.

    The judge, Mr Umar Kagarko, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N5.5 million, with one surety in like sum.
    He adjourned hearing till May 24.

  • 36 states, FCT demand $6.9b Paris Club refund

    36 states, FCT demand $6.9b Paris Club refund

    Fed Govt to return excess deductions in five to 10 years

    States are demanding about $6.9billion Paris Club loan deductions from the Federal Government.

    The government has raised a verification and reconciliation team on the claims by states to end over deduction of loans which have crippled many states.

    It was also learnt that the government has set guidelines for accessing the refund.

    The Federal Government may— no thanks to the recession— issue long tenored instruments of between five and 10 years to states with valid claims to refund the money.

    President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the release of about N522.74 billion in the first tranche to enable states offset outstanding salaries and pensions.

    The initial payment was greeted with controversy following the remittance of about N19billion from the N522.74 billion into two accounts of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) as commission to consultants.

    According to a document obtained by The Nation, states are demanding US$6, 923,722,131.81 refund from the Federal Government.

    The states based their requests on unaccounted deductions on “Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) Report of the Reconciliation of State Governments’ External Debts, Vol. 1 (May 2007)”.

    The breakdown is  as follows: Abia ($151, 410, 816.39); Adamawa($161, 968, 221.27); Akwa Ibom($344, 122,584.90); Anambra($162, 163, 091.98); Bauchi  ($182, 192, 756.59); Bayelsa($329, 744, 322.49); Benue($81, 580, 708.60); Borno($194, 461, 850.74); Cross River ($160, 936, 263.51); Delta ($365, 655, 143.86); Ebonyi($119, 419,427.28); and Edo( $161, 354, 346, .83).Others are  Ekiti($126, 432, 758.86); Enugu($142, 034, 156.54); Gombe ($118,486,826.45); Imo($185, 451, 792. 92); Jigawa ($188, 282, 561.77); Kaduna($204, 549, 118.60); Kano( $287, 952, 190.23); Katsina($217, 274, 991.01); Kebbi($158,344,357.37); Kogi($159, 674,903.18); Kwara($135, 646, 207 .33); Lagos($223, 773, 195.58);

    The list includes Nasarawa($120, 557, 593.92); Niger($191, 014, 388.20); Ogun($152, 036, 415.75); Ondo ($ 185, 527, 107.67); Osun(4167, 261, 095.11); Oyo(4209, 314, 168.61); Plateau($149, 512, 027.96); Rivers ($462, 593, 183.07); Sokoto($170, 625, 921.77); Taraba(4148, 662,635.52);  Yobe($143, 393,460.04); Zamfara($144, 169, 154. 81); and FCT($18, 142, 185).

    Some states sought refund from 1982 to 2006, others put their timeline at 1995 to 2006.

    In one of their letters to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo through a consultancy firm, the states indicated that the demand for refund began during the tenure of a former Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala.

    The letter gave some insights into efforts at reconciling debt records which the Buhari administration inherited.

    The details are contained in the letter by Mauritz Walton Nigeria Limited, which was engaged by some states for the reconciliation of their loan refunds.

    The letter was signed by Dr. Maurice Ibe (Managing Consultant) and Alh. Sani Anani (Associate Consultant) for the firm.

    The letter states: “The above named company was appointed as consultants by some state governments to carry out reconciliation and recovery of all over deductions on foreign loans (1995 to 2006).

    “Subsequently, the loan records were received and reconciled for all the states under our client list (1982 to 2006). It was discovered that the total deductions from the states’ statutory revenue from June 1995 to March 2006 (period of “first line charge policy”) were completely omitted in the past reconciliation exercises.

    “It is important to kindly inform that Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Debt Management Office (DMO) and FAAC Sub-Committee did not include this period.

    “Therefore, based on our findings, we submitted a demand notice to the then Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance as established over deduction of our clients (states).

    “The purpose of this letter is to seek your kind intervention as the Chairman of Debt Management Office (DMO) to resolve these issues once and for all.”

    A Presidency source said: “We need to put on records that President Buhari is embarking on loan refund due to over-deductions over the years. Some states have overpaid what they borrowed. This became rampant during the ‘First Line Charge’ period of 1992 – 2002 when deductions were made from Revenue Allocation Accounts.

    “Most of the over deductions in dispute occurred before the establishment of the Debt Management Office (DMO). Also, deductions from First Line Charge has been suspended since 2012.

    “Prior to the establishment of DMO, some states were servicing loans that records could not be traced again. The President has decided to clean up the debt management system in a way that some of these states will be off the hook.

    “What he has done is to ask states to come up with their claims which would be verified by the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Debt Management Office (DMO), RMAFC, and Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF).

    The President is said to have decided to direct the release of some refund (first and second tranches) to states pending reconciliation of debt records to enable them pay outstanding salaries and pensions.

    He took the decision after getting the report of a Presidential Committee which looked into all liabilities owed to all States of the Federation by the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN), The Nation learnt.

    Responding to a question, the source added: “A verification/ reconciliation committee is already working on these loans and claims by states.

    “The Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) has an agreement with the President that any state which gets more refund than it ought to pay back. This is why states ought to use their refund well.”

    Another document has also given insights into the findings of the Presidential Committee and the guidelines which states must follow to get their refund.

    The document said in part: “The Committee met and after deliberating on the issue of States’ claims for refund of the Federal Government’s over-deductions on their Revenue Allocation Accounts in the period prior to the establishment of the DMO, wishes to communicate the following:

    1. The Federal Government is prepared and willing to revisit the issue of States’ claims of over-deductions from States’ Revenue Accounts during the period of First Line Charge, which had been suspended since 2012.
    2. States with genuine claims should make their submissions directly to the Presidential Committee and not through any Consultant, within the timeline given by the Committee.

    iii. Claims by all the States of the Federation would be considered together by the Presidential Committee and no State would be treated separately;

    1. A thorough verification process would be undertaken to sift through the submissions made by the States, with a view to either authenticating or rejecting the claims, based on their veracity or otherwise.

    “You may kindly wish to find below, the Guidelines for the consideration of claims by all States:

    1. All submissions should be addressed to the Presidential Committee on the Verification of States’ Claims of Over-Deductions from Revenue Allocation Account in respect of External Debt Service Payments (1992-2002) and submitted to the Honourable Minister, Federal Ministry of Finance, with a copy to the Director-General, Debt Management Office (DMO);
    2. It is the responsibility of each participating State to establish its case and taking into consideration that the burden of proof rests with the State.

    iii. The use of Consultants by any State is not acceptable. States should forward their submissions directly to the Committee.

    1. Each submission by States should be accompanied by the following documents:
    2. Demand Notices from Creditors on a loan-by-loan basis in respect of loans on which claims are based;
    3. Details of all States’ loans
    4. Loan Agreements;
    5. Evidence of Payments to the Creditors (authorised by the Creditors);
    6. Evidence of deductions from the States’ Revenue Allocation;
    7. Category of debts on which claims are being made;
    8. Evidence of amount outstanding on a year-by-year basis (from 1992- 2002);
    9. Where applicable, for every claim, there should be confirmation of the status of the debt by the creditor; and,
    10. Any other relevant information/document.

    “The Federal Government would issue long tenored instruments of between 5 to 10 years to States with valid claims of over deduction, as a means of refunding the States.”

  • Return of ‘park and pay’ policy in FCT, residents react

    Some FCT residents have expressed divergent views over the proposed re-introduction of ‘park and pay’ by the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).

    Some of the residents in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja expressed their support while others were against the policy.

    NAN reports that this policy has been in place until it was abolished in 2014, following an FCT High Court ruling describing the policy as illegal.

    However, AMAC had concluded arrangement to re-introduce the banned park and pay policy to augment the shortfall in federal allocation to the council and boost its revenue generation.

    The policy allow residents to park their cars at some designated place and pay a sum depending on the numbers of minutes or hours spent.

    Dr Rowland Adebisi, a Civil Engineer, said the re-introduction of the park and pay policy within the city centre was a welcome development that would generate more revenue for the council.

    He said that the administration should reintroduce the policy, adding that it should be done with some sense of decorum.

    Adebisi said that the funds generated from the policy would go a long way to help in the development of the city.

    “The idea of reintroducing the park and pay is a welcome development, this will also serve as a means of generating revenue for the council to provide more infrastructure, if properly managed’’ he said.

    Mrs. Justina Umeadi, a civil Servant, said that the re-introduction of the policy would assist in reducing traffic congestion in the city.

    She said that with the policy in place it would help to check the indiscriminate parking in the city centre by some car users.

    “Am in support of the reintroduction of this policy; it will help to check the way and manner some people park their vehicles indiscriminately,’’ she said.

    Another resident, Mrs. Stella Adams, said that she was not in support of the policy, saying that it was another form of double taxation.

    “I am not in support of that policy; FCT should look at other means of generating revenue.

    “The government is supposed to provide car parks at strategic places in the city for people to park their cars; you do not expect them to carry their cars on their head.

    “If car parks are provided and people still park their cars in wrong places then you can charge them for illegal parking,’’ she said.

    Also, Mr. Peter Adoyi, a resident, told NAN that the policy was illegal and should not be reintroduced, saying that Nigerians do not need that policy now.

    He said that people are already suffering as a result of the recession in the country and should not be made to suffer more.

    “The government should initiate programmes that will improve the living standard of citizens and not policy that will add to the hardship of citizens,” he said.

     

  • FEC okays $470m, N186m for FCT water projects 

    FEC okays $470m, N186m for FCT water projects 

    THE Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved $470 million and N186 million for water projects in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    FCT Minister Mohammad Bello spoke to State House correspondents at the end of the FEC meeting chaired by Acting President Yemi Osinbajo.

    He was with the Minister of Information Lai Mohammed and Minister of Budget and National Planning Udoma Udo Udoma.

    Mohammad said the approvals were given after FEC considered three memos from his ministry.

    He said: “During FEC meeting, we discussed three very important memoranda from FCT. The first one was the approval of the contract for the construction of greater Abuja water supply project at the total cost of $470 million.

    “This is a very important project for the residents of the city because it aims to provide portable water to the greater part of the city and it intends to leverage on the facility that we have in the city – that is lower Osuma Dam as well as the Water treatment plant for the city which is reputed to be one of the largest on the African continent.

    “As you know, water supply to the city based on the masterplan has not been able to extend to other phases of the city. The intention of this project, which is being funded by the China-Nexim Bank, is to provide water to what we called loops 1, 2, 5 and 6.

    “The overall masterplan for the city has 10 loops. Already Loops three and four are currently operational, providing water to Garki, Maitama, Asokoro and Central Business District.”

    He said the water would be extended to other critical areas of the city with new additional four loops.

    According to him, it is a significant infrastructure project under the present administration

    The project, he said, would also have impact on the wider number of population in the FCT.

    The second memo, he said, was for supply of alum to serve the FCT Water Board, towards providing portable water to the city’s residents.

    He said the contract amount is N186 million for the supply of 1,000 tons of alum.

    “It is a very important priority for us and this supply is coming from an indigenous manufacturing company, which is in line with the Federal Government’s local content policy as well as encouraging investors that are employing labour to be able to continue in their business,” the minister said.

    The third contract, he said, has to do with Wupa water treatment plant, which is an extension of contract to a period of 24 months, including its maintenance, training and retraining of competent workers.

    He added that the FCT administration is working hard to improve the state of the Karishi, Orozo, Jikwoyi, Nyanya road.

  • Court remands two students for possession of stolen vehicle

    A Gudu Upper Area Court in FCT on Wednesday remanded two students, Mohammed Aminu and Ibrahim Maigari, in prison for allegedly being in possession of a stolen vehicle.

    The Presiding judge, Mr Umar Kagarko, ordered that the defendants be remanded till May 10 for conclusion of investigations and consideration of application for bail.

    Aminu, 24, and Maigari,24, are facing a four-count charge of criminal conspiracy, trespass, possession of suspected stolen vehicle and membership of a robbery gang.

    They both pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    Prosecutor Fidelis Ogbobe had told the court that Pius Labari of First Bank, Area 3, reported the matter at Garki Police Station on March 6.

    Ogbobe said that the defendants criminally conspired and trespassed into the complainant residence with the intention of committing an offence.

    “In the course of police investigations, a black Honda CRV vehicle, RDC 685 AE, suspected to be stolen was recovered in the defendants’ custody.

    “It was also discovered that the defendants belonged to a gang of thieves who specialise in trailing unsuspecting victims from banks and dispossessing them of their property,’’ Ogbobe said.

    The prosecutor said that the offence contravened sections 97, 348, 319(a) and 306 of the Penal Code.

     

     

  • Expert warns FCT residents against indiscriminate dumping of refuse

    Expert warns FCT residents against indiscriminate dumping of refuse

    Mr Williams Osaze, the President of Society for the Promotion of People’s Rights, an NGO, on Friday warned FCT residents against indiscriminate dumping of refuse in their neighbourhoods.

    He gave the warning while speaking with newsmen on Friday.

    Osaze said that the residents’ refuse disposal habits had become a source of worry, as they could lead to untold environmental and health hazards.

    He said that if waste was improperly disposed, it could cause a lot of dangers, advising the people to jettison their unwholesome refuse disposal habits.

    “The indiscriminate dumping of waste along the street, in drainage channels, motor parks, schools, market places, homes and venues of social functions pose a lot of threats to the environment.

    “To be more specific, sachet water, popularly known as “pure water’’, has become a major environmental hazard in our country.

    “Pure water sachet does not decompose, even after many years, and it produces harmful gases like carbon monoxide, nitrate and carbon dioxide, which also emit an offensive odour.

    “When solid wastes are dumped in gutters, ditches or sewers, they can block the city’s drainage and sewage system; this attitude is unhealthy to our health and environment,’’ he said.

    Osaze said that improper dumping of garbage would pollute natural habitats and could lead to the death of fishes, birds and small animals.

    He also said that some of the trash could be toxic if consumed by animals, adding that if such toxic wastes ended up in water bodies, it would be very dangerous to the aquatic life.

    He stressed that filthy environment and unregulated dumping of waste would deter efforts to boost tourism in the FCT, adding that such scenario would also hinder the flow of investments into the country.

    Osaze, however, advised the residents to adopt proper waste management techniques, while cleaning their surroundings regularly.

    He also urged them to report those who engaged in illegal waste dumping to the appropriate authorities for immediate intervention.

  • Reps seek development of satellite towns in FCT

    Reps seek development of satellite towns in FCT

    Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on FCT Area Councils and Ancillary matters Zaphaniah Jisalo, has said there is an urgent need to develop the satellite towns in the Federal Capital Territory.

    The lawmaker who made the pronouncement during a public hearing on a “Bill for an Act to provide the establishment of Satellite Towns Development Agency also reiterated commitment of the National Assembly to ensuring accelerated development of satellite towns in the Federal Capital Territory.

    Another bills considered: a Bill that seeks to create a proper administrative and Political Structure for the Area Councils of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, (FCT), seeks to set up an agency with the responsibility of satellite towns and other related matters

    However, members of the committee were not happy with the FCT Minister, Mallam Musa Bello, for not coming in person.

    The Minister’s representative the Permanent Secretary FCTA, Mr Babatope Ajakaiye, told the committee that the they got the notice for the hearing late.

    He however incurred the wrath of the members when he said he would have to consult with the president to get approval in order to contribute to the bill.

    His words: “Given the beauracratic process of government, we are unable to contribute to the bill.”

    But members insisted the hearing would go on in the absence of the minister.

    Nkem Abonta while decrying the Minister’s absence said: “the minister’s message to the committee over this hearing is not excusable, we will still go on with this hearing whether FCTA is in support of it or not.”

    Jones Onyereri, another member of the committee, was of the same opinion: “It is important for the FCTA to give their input whether in support or not, for you to back out of this hearing without making your own input can end up affecting the FCTA.

    “We will go on with the hearing and the bill will go through,” he said.

    Another member, Aisha Duku said the FCT was loosing a lot of revenue due to poor administration, and that the minister alone cannot determine what the masses want.

    Jisalo in his ruling said the committee will not be deterred by the unpreparedness of the minister.

    His words: “This is a people’s parliament where everyone lend their voice, I am not pleased with the minister’s comment, you can’t be taking money and cannot account for that money.

    “We are trying to put a law to make sure this money you are collecting is
    accounted for.”

    In his opening speech, the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara who was represented by Pally Iriase, the Deputy Chief Whip of the House, said the bills when passed will ensure that area councils in the FCT were politically and administratively provided for.

    He said as major organ of development in the FCT, the absence of an enabling law had always created constraints in operations and output of Satellite towns.

  • YouReport: ‘I found myself in Abuja uncovered manhole’

    YouReport: ‘I found myself in Abuja uncovered manhole’

    February 7th 2017 will be a day to be remembered by me.
    I was on my routine daily jogging in Apo around zone D  in the FCT when I found myself in one of these uncovered man holes. Only God saved me from death and potential life threatening injuries.
    It appears that no one is paying attention to this environmental and deadly situation.
    As a medical doctor, I have seen the effect on the lives of families who have lost loved ones as a result of this preventable accidents. Many have been maimed and some died as a result of injuries sustained from falling into these man holes.
    Thank God I escaped with minor injuries and was rescued by two good samaritans.
    We are well aware of the fact that this is the handiwork of thieves who sell them to  metal workers. There has to be sanctions and deterrents to this.  Thank you for bringing the attention of our FCT Minister to this issue.
    Do you have any experience you want to report about or bring to the attention of the authorities? Send to info@thenationonlineng.net with the subject line  YouReport . We waiting to hear from you.