The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Muhammadu Buhari

  • VAIDS: President under pressure to extend deadline as amnesty ends today

    As the tax amnesty under the Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS) ends on Saturday, some private sector players are said to be lobbying President Muhammadu Buhari to extend the amnesty period.

    An official at the Presidency, who craved for anonymity, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday that governors and company owners had called the President and Vice President to push for the extension of the programme.

    “We are expecting Mr President to make an announcement on the tax amnesty deadline by this weekend.

    “To be frank and honest, nobody knows whether the President will decide to extend it or not, but there has been calls by state governors and key private sector players calling for the extension.

    “However, it still remains unclear if the President will take the recommendation to extend it by another three months, since he had been advised otherwise by the Minister of Finance and Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) chairman,’’ the source said.

    Meanwhile, the Adamawa state Commissioner for Finance, Mr Mahmoud Yunusa, told NAN that many of the states were in support of extending the tax amnesty past the March 31 deadline.

    “It should be extended because people are just beginning to buy into the programme. We see people coming up willingly to declare their assets and it shouldn’t end soon.

    “Nigerians deserve more time and I believe that some of them are still collating their assets to know their worth before doing so.

    “Also, some haven’t declared because they operate businesses without any formal documentation, so it will take time before they get their books in order.

    “So it’s my opinion that extending it for another six months would ensure better success,’’ he said.

  • President Buhari returns to Abuja, attends in-law’s wedding

    President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday  returned to Abuja after a two-day working visit to Lagos State where he inaugurated some projects and also attended the 10th Sen. Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Colloquium.

    According to agency reports, Buhari went straight to the National Mosque Abuja where he performed the 2-Raka’at Juma’at prayer.

    The President also witnessed the wedding fatiha of Hamza Ahmed and Hadiza Jika which was performed immediately after the prayer session at the mosque.

    The Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, Governors of Nasarawa and Bauchi States, Alhaji Tanko Almakura and Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar respectively were among the dignitaries that witnessed the event.

    Other personalities at the wedding were the National Security Adviser to the President, Maj-Gen. Babagana Mongonu (rtd), cabinet ministers and former National Chairman of PDP, Ahmodu Ali.

    According to reports, the groom, Hamza Ahmed, is a junior brother to Aisha Buhari, the president’s wife.

  • VAIDS: Buhari under pressure to extend tax amnesty period

    As the tax amnesty under the Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme ( VAIDs ) ends on Saturday, some private sector players are said to be lobbying President Muhammadu Buhari to extend the amnesty period.

    An official at the Presidency, who craved for anonymity, told our correspondent on Friday that governors and company owners had called the President and Vice President to push for the extension of the programme.

    “We are expecting Mr President to make an announcement on the tax amnesty deadline by this weekend.

    “To be frank and honest, nobody knows whether the President will decide to extend it or not, but there has been calls by state governors and key private sector players calling for the extension.

    “However, it still remains unclear if the President will take the recommendation to extend it by another three months, since he had been advised otherwise by the Minister of Finance and Federal Inland Revenue Service ( FIRS ) chairman,” the source said.

    Meanwhile, the Adamawa state Commissioner for Finance, Mr Mahmoud Yunusa, told our correspondent that many of the states were in support of extending the tax amnesty past the March 31 deadline.

    “It should be extended because people are just beginning to buy into the programme. We see people coming up willingly to declare their assets and it shouldn’t end soon.

    “Nigerians deserve more time and I believe that some of them are still collating their assets to know their worth before doing so.

    “Also, some haven’t declared because they operate businesses without any formal documentation so it will take time before they get their books in order.

    “So it’s my opinion that extending it for another six months would ensure better success,’’ he said.

    Yunusa lauded the programme, saying that in Adamawa State, it had helped the state to improve its Internally Generated Revenue ( IGR ) by more than 200 per cent despite still recovering from insurgency and recession.

    Also, Mr Tunde Dare, an economist, held the view that the VAIDs programme should be extended.

    “Even though I think the programme should be extended, I think the government went about this business of tax amnesty the wrong way.

    “I think the scheme should be aimed at capturing more people into the scheme without asking them to pay backlog of taxes,” he said.

    Meanwhile, on Thursday, which was the last working day before the expiration of the programme, many accountants and lawyers stormed the offices of the FIRS to submit applications of their clients.

    We gathered that many tax defaulters, who had thought that the amnesty programme would be extended, were making last minute efforts to key into the scheme.

    The VAIDs programme was launched on July 1, 2017 and was expected to last for nine months.

    The government threatened to prosecute tax evaders that do not take advantage of the scheme thereby risking imprisonment of up to five years.

    According to the Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, the Federal Government had the political will as well as the means to gather evidence that will enable it to prosecute tax evaders.

    She once said that using Project Lighthouse, a data mining agency, the government had been gathering information from different sources to enable it to identify and properly prosecute tax evaders after the expiration of the deadline.

    She said information had so far been gathered from Bank Verification Number records, engagement with foreign private investigation firms on a retainership to trace assets of Nigerians abroad.

    Also, the Federal Government plans to use the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit records and land ownership records in locations like Maitama, Asokoro, Garki, Wuse, Banana Island, Magodo, Lekki, Ikoyi, and Victoria Island.

    The government further plans to beam its searchlights on people that over the years have received major payments from it or foreign exchange allocation and also people with private jets.

    Also, the Federal Government have agreements with many foreign governments like the United Arab Emirates and United Kingdom to get records of Nigerians with property there.

    The government also threatened to go after Nigerians who frequent tax havens as mentioned in the panama paper leaks.

    NAN

  • Buhari returns to Abuja, attends in-law’s wedding

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday returned to Abuja after a 2-day working visit to Lagos state where he inaugurated some projects and also attended the 10th Sen. Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Colloquium.

    On his return, Buhari went straight to the National Mosque Abuja where he performed the 2-Raka’at Juma’at prayer.

    The President also witnessed the wedding fatiha of Hamza Ahmed and Hadiza Jika which was performed immediately after the prayer session at the mosque.

    Read also: Buhari, Abdulsalami, govs, others grace Dangote’s daughter’s wedding

    The Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, Governors of Nasarawa and Bauchi States, Alhaji Tanko Almakura and Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar respectively were among the dignitaries that witnessed the event.

    Other personalities at the wedding were the National Security Adviser to the President, retired Maj-Gen. Babagana Mongonu, cabinet ministers and former National Chairman of PDP, Ahmodu Ali.

    The groom, Hamza Ahmed, is a junior brother to Aisha Buhari, the president wife.

    NAN

  • President Buhari commiserates with Audu Ogbeh over brother’s death

    President Muhammadu Buhari has commiserated with the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, over the death of his younger brother, Clement Ogbeh.

    In a condolence message issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, the President also condoled with the immediate family, the Otukpa community of Benue and friends of the deceased.

    Read Also: I’m grateful to those investing in Nigeria – Buhari

    President Buhari prayed that God would comfort the family of the departed, and grant his soul eternal rest.

    Late Clement Ogbeh worked at the Central Bank of Nigeria and is being buried today.

    NAN

  • Ikeja Bus Terminal: Buhari applauds Lagos’ giant strides in three years

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday applauded the giant strides of the Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode on infrastructure development, even as he assured that plans by his government to develop the nation’s railway infrastructure remain unshaken.

    He said: “We are committed to strictly adhering to the rail reforms because it will lead to job creation, improve security and return our dear country to its position of respectability among the comity of nations in the world.”

    Buhari said the Ikeja Bus Terminal, which projected to change the narrative of transportation in the state will boost job creation, enhance commercial activities and improve the condition of living of Lagosians.

    His remarks came, just as the Governor said the Ikeja Bus Terminal, which is a product of the transportation summit organised by his government in November 2015, is one of the flagship projects meant to revamp transportation and ensure that the people now use public transportation.

    He said under this first phase, 13 new bus terminals are simultaneously ongoing at Oshodi, Yaba, Ojota, Agege, Maryland, and TBS, with 5,000 brand new buses to be injected into the state’s economy in the next three years with 820 high capacity buses to be injected by September.

    Ambode said construction is ongoing on 300 new bus stops across the state to further complement the efforts to bequeath a working, more friendly, safe and convenient transportation to the people of the state.

    He thanked President Buhari for the import waiver on the first phase of the buses to be imported for the project.

    He disclosed plans by the government to begin assemblying the buses within the next 20 months, even as he disclosed of plans to promote non-motorized modes of transportation such as walking by ensuring the creation of walkways on all road projects ongoing in the state.

    He disclosed that the government will soon deliver the blue line light rail in its determination to deliver a functional and sustainable integrated system to enhance commerce and codition of living of the people.

    The Ikeja Bus Terminal contractor and Managing Director of Planet Project Mr Biodun Otunola said the terminal will service 200,000 passengers daily and serve 23 different designated routes with about 100 buses.

    He said the Ikeja Bus Terminal is a bold statement by the government to reinvent public transportation by ensuring that the 12 million Lagosians who uses the roads every day are assured of their safety, and given the benefit of a more convenient travel experience.

    “It is completed with Intelligent transportation System (ITS) that ensured that buses can be planned and people can plan their journey time as it would give the arrival and departure time of all buses. It would be opened from 6am to 11 pm.

    He said; “it is sad that while only 21,000 passengers use all Nigerian airports, the about 80 million Nigerians who uses public transportation have no adequate infrastructure and no standard structure to provide for their safety and protection by the government. That is what the Lagos State Government want to address with the ongoing transportation reform.

    The idea, according to him is to capture a sizeable population of the 12 million Lagosians that commute daily in Lagos State alone.

    He said the bus reform which would see the gradual reflecting of public transportation from the rickety and unsafe yellow buses to a more comfortable air conditioned buses will transform the narrative of transportation in the state.

     

  • Buhari’s visit: travelers, commuters, groan over restriction of movement

    President Muhammadu Buhari  travelers and commuters were on Thursday, forced to walk long distances to the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos to catch their flights, following restriction of movement around the airport vicinity by security operatives, The News men report that the movement restriction around the airport is due to.

    The President is expected to inaugurate the newly constructed Ikeja Bus Terminus among other engagements.

    The News men reports that as early as 5 a.m, commercial buses and other unauthorised vehicles were restricted from plying the Agege Motor Road, Airport Road, Mobolaji Bank-Anthony Way and other link roads.

    Activities of shuttle buses and taxis within the airport were also restricted, forcing commuters and travelers going to the airport, to walk long distances to their destinations.

    The News men  observes that the situation had also affected flight operations by domestic airlines, which had to delay their 7 a.m flights for about an hour to enable stranded passengers catch up with fights.

    Air Peace, in a statement posted on its Facebook page empathised with its guests over the situation.

    “We empathise with our esteemed guests who are having a challenge accessing the airport to catch their flights due to the diversion of traffic at various points In Lagos.

    “This is currently affecting flights out of our base in Lagos despite the availability and readiness of our crew to operate their flights.

    “We urge our valued guests to remain calm, while we monitor the development and take steps to minimise the impact of the resulting flight disruptions,’’ the airline said.

    Similarly, Arik Air, in continuous public announcements, appealed to passengers already checked in on its 8 a.m Lagos-Port Harcourt flight to exercise patience with other passengers yet to arrive due to the movement restriction.

    However, Mrs Henrietta Yakubu, the General Manager, Corporate Affairs,
    Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), explained that the restriction on commercial vehicles was to allow smooth movement during the president’s visit.

    Read Also: Lagos declares tomorrow work-free day for Buhari’s visit

    An aviation expert and a member of the Aviation Round Table, Retired Capt. John Ojikutu , faulted the early closure of the access way to the airport which caused discomfort to travelers.

    “Knowing that most flights outbound Lagos are between 7 a.m/7.30 a.m, the closure of the airport that is built within urban developed area like MMA should not have come before 7.30 a.m.

    “Access control for vehicular movement should have been limited not beyond the roundabout near the Forte Oil and the roundabout near the Bisam Police Station.

    “The experience of passengers into the airport today should not be on the president as most people would want.

    “Rather, on the state government and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) mainly and FAAN which could have jointly assess the impact of the visit to the airport on the public,’’ he said.

    Two travelers, Mr Ejike Agu and Mr Augustine Iweh, told The News men, advanced notices should have been sent to travelers to enable them prepare for the inconveniences caused by the restriction.

    Agu said “some of us are going home for the Easter holidays and it is not good that we are treated this way. It took me hours to get to the airport as I had to trek from Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way.’’

    Iweh said he was lucky to get a cab driver who was able to navigate his way to the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) of the airport in spite of the restriction.

    “But it cost me N5, 000; At least, I got here without too much stress unlike some other people,’’ he said.

    The news men observes that a number of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority personnel, the Nigeria Air Force, Police and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, have been deployed around the airport to beef up security ahead of the president’s visit.

    NAN

  • Easter: FG declares March 30, April 2, public holidays

    The Federal Government has declared Friday, March 30 and Monday, April 2, as Public Holidays to mark the Good Friday and Easter Monday.

    The Minister of Interior, retired Lt.-Gen Abdulrahman Dambazau, made the declaration on Tuesday in Abuja on behalf of the Federal Government in a statement issued by Mrs Julie Ejiofor, Director Overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary.

    Dambazau enjoined Christian faithful and Nigerians in general to employ the spiritual ethos of Easter, which include; love, peace and sacrifice, in contributing to the unity and peaceful co-existence among Nigerians.

    He also urged Nigerians to remain supportive of the government of President Muhammadu Buhari in its efforts toward building a peaceful, united and prosperous nation.

    He implored all Nigerians to use the occasion to pray for the peace and unity of the country.

    The minister wishes all Nigerians a Happy Easter celebration.

    NAN

  • Herdsmen/farmers clash: Oyo deputy preaches peace

    Against the backdrop of incessant attacks unleashed on farmers by herdsmen in Oyo State, the Deputy Governor of the state Otunba Moses Alake Adeyemo has appealed to farmers to go on with their farming activities, saying that the state government was leaving no stone unturned to ensure their safety.

    The Deputy Governor made the appeal on Monday while featuring on ‘Oro Oselu’,a political programme on a government owned radio station in Ibadan.

    He said, “The state government is regularly holding meetings with people of different tribes and religious belief with a view to ensuring peace.

    “In Oke Ogun, we have been living with herdsmen for many years, we have even intermarried. The farmers should not take laws into their own hands in the event herdsmen encroach on their farms. Such incident should be reported to the law enforcement agents for the law to take its course.

    Read Also: Herdsmen kill five in Benue

    “I can assure you that any herdsmen who encroach on farms will not go unpunished.”

    Otunba Adeyemo who contended that agriculture used to be the mainstay of the nations economy before the advent of oil called on the people of the state to show interest in agricultural practice, saying that the current administration was ready to support them with agricultural loans, inputs and farm implements.

    The Deputy Governor, however, expressed happiness that President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration had restored agriculture to its pride of place in the country, urging the youths to embrace agricultural practice.

    He equally called for amendment of the nation’s constitution with a view to assigning specific roles and duties to the deputy governors to enable members of the public to assess their performance.

  • Buhari to commission Ikeja Bus Terminal

     

    President Muhammadu Buhari will on Thursday commission the world class bus terminal built by the Lagos State Government in Ikeja.

    The terminal, located just behind the rail line of the Nigeria Railway Corporation and about 1km from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, is to offer connect to 22 routes and transport a projected 70,000 people daily.

    The bus terminal, an initiative of the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode administration in Lagos State, is one of 13 such terminals being constructed across the state in the first phase of the project being executed by Planet Projects.

    Read Also: Buhari inaugurates Food Security Council

    The one in Alapere is scheduled for commissioning today.

    Also already completed is the one at Tafawa Balewa Square.

    The same company handled the removal of the huge roundabouts in the Lekki area, and the replacement with traffic lights and well situated exits, which has greatly reduced traffic and commuting time in the area.

    The company is also handling the world class bus terminal at Oshodi, which is expected to radically transform the area once considered a slum.

    For the Ikeja Bus Terminal, the buses to service it will come from the over 5,000 already acquired by the Lagos State Government, which have started arriving in the country.