The Nation Newspaper

Tag: parastatals

  • Edo explains sealing of Federal parastatals

    Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole has explained why some Federal Government parastatals in the state were sealed for evading tax.

    He described the non-payment of tax by the parastatals as “outright display of irresponsibility”.

    Oshiomhole said the state government would collaborate with the judiciary to enact laws that would send tax invaders to prison.

    He said what defines the character of any responsible government is its disposition to taxation.

    Oshiomhole said: “Nothing can be more sensitive than the survival of the state. That was why we took certain actions. How can the Petroleum Product Marketing Company (PPMC) say it cannot afford to pay tax when it allows both genuine and non-genuine importers to make so much money?

    “Tax is not a voluntary contribution; it is a levy and non-payment of tax is not a civil matter, but a criminal matter. I have told my people that anybody who does not pay tax should be jailed.

    “No Nigerian, whether corporate or individual, is above the law. That was why we sealed the Nigerian Telecommunications (NITEL), the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Company (NDIC), banks and schools.

    “The fact that they are sensitive should not make them behave irresponsibly and any one who evades tax is irresponsible in the eyes of the law. We also intend to ensure that individuals pay tax. Every progressive government taxes the rich to provide basic social amenities for the poor.”

  • Minister signs performance certificate with parastatals, agencies

    Minister signs performance certificate with parastatals, agencies

    The Minister of Transport, Sen. Idris Umar, at the weekend signed a performance certificate with Heads of Agencies and Parastatals in the ministry.
    He described the pact as an evaluation tool for measuring their performances.
    The Minister disclosed that the performance agreement signed with President Goodluck Jonathan last August was part of efforts to foster purposeful and meaningful leadership in the country.
    He informed that the ability to actualise the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) of the ministry and its agencies will serve as proof of quality service delivery to Nigerians.
    Key objectives the ministry must achieve, he stated, include resuscitation and revitalisation of the railway system for haulage of goods and carriages of passengers; repositioning of the nation’s port system in line with global best practices; increasing use of inland waterways to stimulate economic activities as well as enhancing maritime safety and security.
    Others are improving inter modality of the transport system; enhancing private sector participation in the sector; and provision of policy, regulatory and administrative services.
    While insisting the performance agreement was non-negotiable, the Minister directed “all matters coming from the agencies must be attended to and disposed off within a maximum of two weeks from the date of receipt of such matters.”