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  • lPMAN warns of impending fuel scarcity

    THE Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) on Monday raised the alarm over imminent scarcity of petroleum products in the country.

    It warned that the fresh round of  scarcity could only be averted if private depot owners settle the backlog of Petroleum Equalisation Funds (PEF) to the independent marketers.

    IPMAN Northwest Zone Chairman, Bashir Dan-Malam, who spoke with reporters in Kano said the failure of the private depot owners to release  PEF has resulted in the inability of the IPMAN members to continue lifting fuel products.

    Read Also: How to end fuel scarcity, by Kachikwu

    This followed the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), warning to the depot owners to settle the PEF to IPMAN or be denied further allocation of petroleum products.

    He said: “The problem of petroleum products scarcity in most cases, among other reasons, is as result of withholding of equalization fund to independent marketers. Thank God, the NNPC is aware and planning to take it seriously this time. That is why we commend the recent directive issued to the private owners.

    “This decision, if fully implemented, will go a long way in solving the problems bedevilling the downstream sector. I want to also urge the marketers to be honest and transparent in managing the fund. The payment will enable marketers build more filling stations and create more job opportunities for our teeming youths.

  • FBI wanted list: public relations experts offer to assist govt

    THE Public Relations Consultants’ Association of Nigeria (PRCAN), has offered the professional body’s assistance to the Federal Government in improving the country’s battered image on the international scene.

    Mr. Israel Jaiye Opayemi, newly elected President of the association, speaking at the PRCAN 2019 Annual General Meeting in the wake of the recent grand jury indictment of 77 Nigerians for alleged involvement in online fraud schemes in the United States, he said what was needed was a robust response strategy and campaign plan, and not knee-jerk reactions from several government spokespersons.

    According to him, “The truth is, a narrative has been created about us as Nigerians. A wrong perception with its attendant generalisation has also been created. Not a few Nigerians have cancelled their planned trips to the United States for fear of the horrible treatment they will be subjected to by the United States Immigration.”

    Read Also: Nigeria and the FBI Cybercrime List

    He added that “in times like this, governments the world over would rely on the professional advice and expertise of practitioners who are not in any short supply within the Nigerian Public Relations community to help craft a response strategy and a campaign plan to manage the narrative and shape the perception. This has not been the case here.”

    Other members of the executives who will be steering the affairs of PRCAN over the next two years are Mr. Adedayo Ojo (Vice President); Mrs. Tokunbo George-Taylor (Secretary General); Ms. Martha Okpeke (Assistant Secretary General); Mr. Bolaji Abimbola (Publicity Secretary), and Mr. Raheem Olabode (Treasurer).

  • Supreme Court rejects suit querying Buhari’s qualification

    THE Supreme Court has dismissed a suit querying the authenticity of President Muhammadu Buhari’s academic claims and his qualification to contest the last presidential election.

    The suit was filed by Kalu Kalu, Labaran Ismail and Hassy El-Kuris.

    It was an appeal against the July 12 judgment of the Court of Appeal, Abuja.

    The apex court on Monday, through its five-man panel, averred that it lacked the jurisdiction to hear the appeal on the grounds that it was statute barred.

    The panel, led by Justice Mary Odili, directed the appellant’s lawyer, Ukpai Ukairo, to take a decision on what to do with his case.

    On sensing the court’s disposition, Ukairo applied to withdraw the appeal, and the court dismissed it.

    Earlier, the court frowned at the decision by a lawyer from the Federal Ministry of Justice, Abdullahi Abubakar, to announce appearance for President Buari.

    Justice Odili said: “The court notes the inappropriate appearance of Mr. Abdullahi Abubakar, a state counsel from the Federal Ministry of Justice, representing the first respondent (Muhammadu Buhari) in his personal capacity.

    “This practice must be discouraged. The appeal, haven been withdrawn, is hereby dismissed.”

    Read Also: Buhari returns to Abuja

    Another member of the panel, Muhammad Dattijo, noted that Abubakar’s conduct was inappropriate for a public servant.

    He cited the example of former United States President Bill Clinton, who he said did not involve public lawyers in handling his numerous private cases while in the office.

    “Clinton, in his numerous private litigations, never used government organs, but rather personally sponsored all his private cases.”

    Kalu, Ismail and El-Kuris, by their appeal, were praying the Supreme Court to, among others, set aside an earlier judgment of the Court of Appeal, Abuja, which upheld the decision of the Federal High Court, Abuja, that the suit, being on a pre-election matter, was statute barred, having not been filed within the 14 days allowed by the Constitution.

    They, on November 5, last year, filed the suit at the Federal High Court, Abuja, and challenged the authenticity of President Buhari’s educational qualification, as contained in the Form CF001 he submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) before the conduct of the last presidential election.

    The trio claimed to have learnt about the information in the Form CF001, allegedly submitted by President Buhari, when INEC published the list of successful candidates in this year’s general election October 25, last year.

    They argued that their cause of action arose on the date of the publication.

    The trio, among others, prayed the court for a declaration that President Buhari submitted false information on his educational qualification and certificate to the INEC to contest election into the Office of the President of Nigeria and that he should be disqualified.

    They also prayed for an order of court directing INEC to remove President Buhari’s name as a candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and an order restraining him from parading himself as a candidate in this year’s presidential election and restrain the APC from recognising him as its candidate.

    In a judgment on May 2, Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Federal High Court, Abuja, dismissed the suit for being statute barred.

    Justice Mohammed held that the suit was not filed within the 14 days period allowed for the filing of pre-election matters under Section 285 of the Constitution.

    The judge also held that the cause of action arose on September 28, last year, when the APC held its primary election to select its candidate for the 2019 presidential election.

    On appeal to the Court of Appeal, Abuja, a three-man panel of the court, in a judgment delivered on July 12, upheld the verdict of the Federal High Court that the suit was statute barred and dismissed it.

    The Court of Appeal also held that the cause of action arose on October 18, last year, the date President Buhari submitted his Form CF001 to INEC.

     

  • BREAKING: FG summons South Africa High Commissioner over xenophobic attacks  

    Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, has summoned the South African High Commissioner to Nigeria, Bobby Moroe, over the xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa.

    A meeting has been scheduled to hold between the duo by 11am on Tuesday.

    A senior official of the ministry,  Kimiebi Ebenfa, confirmed the development in a WhatsApp message.

    It reads: “I am directed to inform you that the Minister of Foreign Affairs has summoned the High Commissioner of South Africa for a meeting this morning by 11. The meeting was confirmed a few minutes ago.”

    Onyema on Monday vowed the Federal Government would take “definitive measures” following the xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa.

    READ ALSO: FG promises ‘definite measures’ over xenophobic attacks

    He described the attackers as mindless criminals, noting that the police intervention was ineffective.

    On his verified Twitter handle, the Minister said: “Received sickening and depressing news of continued burning and looting of Nigerian shops and premises in #SouthAfrica by mindless criminals with ineffective police protection. Enough is enough. We will take definitive measures.”

    Speculations that the alleged killer was a Nigerian sparked protests, looting and burning of foreign-owned businesses.

    The police had struggled to bring the attacks under control.

     

  • BREAKING: Five Kogi PDP aspirants step down for Wada

    Hours to the Kogi State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primary, no fewer than five aspirants from Kogi East, have stepped down for the immediate past Governor Cap. Idris Wada.

    Wada, who is seeking a second and final term as governor, is one of the 11 PDP governorship aspirants from Kogi East, from a total 13.

    Read Also: Bello ‘ll use N30bn bailout fund for vote buying -Kogi PDP aspirants

    Addressing newsmen in the capital, Lokoja on Tuesday, the Vice Chairman, Kogi East Elders Council (KEEC) and former minister of State for Health, Arch. Gabriel Aduku, explained that the decision to prevail on the other aspirants to collapse their structure into Wada’s was in the overall interest of the party and the state.

    While he said that nine aspirants agreed to step down for Wada, he listed five, including the only woman aspirant, Mrs. Grace Iye Adejoh.

    Others said to have agreed to step down for Wada include AVM Saliu Atawodi (retd.), Dr Victor Adoji, Mohammed Tetes and Emmanuel Omebije.

     

    Details shortly…

  • Ribery joins Fiorentina

    Bayern Munich legend Franck Ribery has signed for Fiorentina, the Serie A club announced on Wednesday.

    The 36-year-old, who won a record nine Bundesliga titles during his stay in Germany, has penned a two-year deal with the Florence-based side to take him through until 2021.

    The former France international brought the curtain down on a 12-year stay with the Bavarian giants last season after helping them to another domestic triumph.

    Having started his career with his hometown club Boulogne in 2000, he spent spells with Ales, Brest, Metz and Galatasaray before moving to Marseille in 2005, where he made his name, helping the club to back-to-back Coupe de France finals.

    He subsequently moved to Bayern two seasons later, in 2007, for a then club-record fee of €25 million (£22.9m/$27.7m), where he helped the club dominate German football for the subsequent decade, winning his first title in his maiden season.

    Along with his domestic league triumphs, was also a six-time DFB-Pokal Cup winner and, in 2013, was a member of the Bayern team that memorably achieved the treble after they lifted the Champions League against Borussia Dortmund at Wembley.

    In 2008, he was named German Footballer of the Year, making him one of only five foreign players to date to be awarded the honour, while he came third in the Ballon d’Or race in 2013.

    At international level, Ribery was called up to the national team for the first time in 2006, playing a part in their World Cup near-miss against Italy in Germany, and he would go on to become a consistent presence until 2014, when he retired from representative football following the World Cup in Brazil, which he missed through injury.

     

    Goal.Com

     

     

  • Fayemi, Ekiti Obas: Who blinks first?

    There is crisis between Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi and 16 foremost traditional rulers (Pelupelu) over the appointment of the Alawe of Ilawe-Ekiti, Oba Adebanji Alabi, as Chairman of the Council of Obas. Correspondent RASAQ IBRAHIM examines the genesis of the discord and efforts being made to resolve it.

    All is not well between Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi and the Council of Traditional Rulers. The bone of contention is the appointment of the Alawe of Ilawe-Ekiti, Oba Adebanji Alabi, as Chairman of the council.

    The position became vacant, following the expiration of the tenure of the Oloye of Oye-Ekiti, Oba Oluwole Ademolaju, on July 31.

    Trouble started when the 16 most prominent traditional rulers, otherwise called ‘pelupelu’, including Fayemi’s hometown monarch, the Onisan of Isan Ekiti, petitioned Fayemi over Oba Alabi’s appointment.

    The rift has factionalised the council. Some monarchs accused the 16 monarchs of monopolising the exalted position.

    Many have argued that Fayemi took the action to spite majority of the obas, who pitched their tent with former Governor Ayo Fayose’s  annoited candidate, Prof. Olusola, against Fayemi during the 2018 governorship election.

    The chairmanship tussle has snowballed into a legal battle as the pelupelu obas approached an Ado Ekiti High Court to challenge the governor.

    In a suit filed by them, they sought for the nullification of Oba Alabi’s appointment, claiming that Fayemi contravened the Ekiti State Chieftaincy Law, which stipulated that the chairman can only be appointed among Alademerindinlogun/pelupelu Obas.

    They described the action taken by the governor to appoint someone outside the league of 17 to occupy the prestigious seat, as a flagrant disregard for the Ekiti State Chieftaincy Law.

    The Pelupelu started in 1886 after the end of Kiriji war between Ibadan and Ekiti. It came into existence with 16 obas, including the Deji of Akure and the Owa Olobo of Obo Ayegunle Ekiti.

    The decision of Akure to secede from Ekiti to form Akure kingdom through Ajapada and the ceding of Obo Ajegunle to Kwara brought about an adjustment in the pelupelu composition. The Elemure of Emure Ekiti, Attah of Ayede and Olomuo of Omuo-Ekiti were screened by the Obas then and absolved as Pelupelu.

    The 17 Pelupelu are: the Ajero of Ijero, Alara of Aramoko, Ewi of Ado Ekiti,  Ogoga of Ikere, Olomuo of Omuo, Attah of Ayede, Onitaji of Itaji, Oloye of Oye, Arinjale of Ise, Ologotun of Ogotun, Elemure of Emure, Alaaye of Efon, Owa Ooye of Okemesi and Olojudo of Ido Faboro, Onisan of Isan Ekiti, Elekole of Ikole.

    Joined in the suit with registration number HAD/76/2019 are: Fayemi (1st defendant), the Attorney-General of Ekiti State, Wale Fapohunda (2nd) and Oba Adebanji Alabi(3rd).

    An originating summon filed by Dr. B.A.M. Ajibade((SAN) on August 7, 2019 and deposed to by Ajero of Ajero, Oba Joseph Adewole, on behalf of the other 15 Obas, sought an interlocutory injunction restraining  Fayemi from swearing in Alawe as the chairman of the council.

    The 16 rulers argued that the promotion of Alawe, Olosi, Olojudo (Ido Ile), Arajaka and Oluyin to the Pelupelu rank by government was an erosion of tradition.

    They averred: “We reject the appointment of Alawe because he was not one of the Oba Alademeridinlogun stated in the extant laws.

    “Similarly, the so-called political promotion or elevation for Alawe to Pelupelu obaship does not derogate in anyway whatsoever from the established tradition which had been statutorily established in the law already cited.

    “It was for this obvious reasons that the court struck out a case by four obas namely; Alawe of Ilawe, Olosi of Osi Ekiti, Arajaka of Igbara Odo Ekiti and Olojudo of Ido-ile. They approached the court for recognition as Pelupelu Obas.

    “Your excellency, the matter was struck out and then never relief they asked for. Interestingly, there is no appeal against the order of court.

    “Later in spite of the fact that the court struck out the case, Oluyin of Iyin Ekiti was promoted. All the five appointment were done in violation of our tradition and existing law.”

    The 17 aggrieved obas shunned the inauguration that was attended by many first class and other monarchs under the aegis of ‘Majority Obas’ of Ekiti State.

    The aggrieved traditional rulers are resolute in their opposition to Fayemi’s action.

    The governor, who spoke at the  inauguration held at the Conference Hall, Governor’s Office, Ado Ekiti, called on the aggrieved monarchs to eschew baseless and unnecessary rivalry that can lead to communal clashes. He said well-meaning Ekiti should aim at the peace and progress of Ekiti State.

    Fayemi added: “I want to appreciate the immediate past council for putting in their best in piloting the affairs of the council. I have no doubt that the new council will collaborate with government for more development in our state.

    “Ekiti has been lucky since its creation and in this period of its history, I am the Chairman of the Governor’s Forum, despite the fact that Ekiti is not the oldest state in Nigeria. Whatever we must  have achieved or got in life, is an act of God, who knows the end from the beginning.”

    The deputy governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, said Fayemi’s approval for reconstitution of the council was in tandem with Section 2(3) of the Council of Traditional Ruler Law no 3 of 2000.

    He said that government had painstakingly selected 26 rotational members alongside 32 permanent members to make up the new council, whose tenure will end in 2021.

    Oba Alabi promised to be fair to all Obas, regardless of status.

    The monarch urged his colleagues to restrict themselves to playing advisory roles to the governor and not to criticise since the council is not a labour union.

    He added: “We can’t afford any form of antagonism and bickering as we are not in competition with the governor. We are an advisory body in line with the law that established this council. We assure Mr Governor of our unalloyed loyalty to be able to move Ekiti forward.”

    Oba Alabi said the security challenges in the country can only be tackled with the cooperation of Obas with the government at all levels.

    “The best way to cooperate with government is by ensuring that we don’t allow criminal elements to infiltrate our communities.

    He added: “If we do this, we will be able to insulate security threat, whether in form of banditry, kidnapping, robbery or insurgency . We can also help government pursue a delibetate policy of disarmament as part of the ways to overcome the present situation.”

    He thanked Fayemi for appointing him as the chairman of the council; saying that the council will not shirk its responsibilities in ensuring that government delivers the goodies of democracy to the people.

    In the unfolding scenario, the 17 rulers seem to be standing alone in their agitation against Fayemi. Most first class obas and other monarchs under the aegis of Majority Obas’ of Ekiti State are behind Oba Alabi.

    Observers said the frosty relationship between Fayemi and the monarchs, if not well managed, may produce negative effects. The monarchs may wait for a time in future to frustrate his ambition since they are the closer institution to the grassroots.

    Observers say the ongoing squabble between Fayemi and the aggrieved monarchs is not a good omen for Ekiti State, considering the myriads of challenges confronting the state.

    But, whether Fayemi has committed any infraction by appointing Oba Alabi or not will be determined by the interpretation of provisions of the Ekiti State Traditional council Law, the Nigerian Constitution, democratic principles, culture, tradition and history.

  • Time to talk

    •Proposed meeting between Buhari and Ramaphosa over spate of killings of Nigerians in S/Africa is good, but …

    THERE is no doubt that President Muhammadu Buhari and his South African counterpart, Mr. Cyril Ramaphosa, need to rub minds over the spate of killings of Nigerians in South Africa. The question is whether the October date chosen for the talk is not too far. The president’s senior special assistant on media and publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, said his principal spoke with his South African counterpart on phone during the Sallah holiday from his hometown Daura, Katsina State, and accepted an invitation to visit South Africa so that the two of them can thrash out the issue of xenophobia against Nigerians in that country, as well as other issues of mutual concern.

    According to Mr Ramaphosa’s invitation:  “Your visit will provide an excellent opportunity for our sister countries to further consolidate and advance our strategic partnership and cooperation on matters of peace, security and socio-economic development in our continent. We will discuss issues of mutual interest and concern in global governance.’’

    President Ramaphosa said the meeting would also provide an opportunity for them to inaugurate a bi-national commission for both countries to “effect the strategic decisions taken in 2016 to elevate it to the level of Heads of State.’’

    We welcome the proposed talks.

    Our concern, however, is that the October date is too far and does not seem to reflect the urgency the issue deserves. Over 150 Nigerians have been allegedly killed in South Africa in recent years. These included Benjamin Simeon, 43, a taxi driver who was killed on August 3.

    However, the most talked-about of the killings would appear to be that of the former Deputy Director-General of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN), Mrs. Ndibuisi-Chukwu, in June. Mrs. Ndibuisi-Chukwu was on a business delegation to South Africa when she was found dead in her room at Emperor’s Palace Hotel and Convention Centre, on the eve of her departure for home.

    Initial reports said she died of cardiac arrest but this was countered by an autopsy report by the South African Department of Home Affairs which said her death was unnatural and suspected to be murder. To worsen matters, the hotel where she died did not want to cooperate with law enforcement agents, especially with regard to releasing the CCTV footage which could have given some hints about what killed her.

    To say that Nigerians are angry over the spate of killings of their compatriots in South Africa is putting it mildly. As a matter of fact, the anger has led to protests in major cities against South African firms in Nigeria, including telecoms giant, MTN, and Shoprite, after several warnings by Nigerian youths of the impending picketing if the killings continued. Even the Nigerian upper legislative chamber, the Senate, urged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to issue travel alerts to Nigerians travelling to South Africa. It is imperative that something has to be done at the highest levels of government before things get out of hand

    In all of these, we commend the Nigerian Citizens Association South Africa for the yeoman’s job it has been doing, keeping tabs on these killings and ensuring that Nigerians back home got a true picture of the strong resentment towards Nigerians by some South African youths.

    We urge the two presidents to discuss the issues dispassionately. They must be guided by the fact that no country is an island unto itself and that there must be some level of dependency between and among countries. Law-abiding Nigerians in South Africa deserve the government’s protection like other nationals in that country. Again, like other nationals, those of them who run foul of the host country’s laws must be made to face the law. Jungle justice or, worse still, xenophobic attacks are an anathema that should not be tolerated in any civilised nation.

  • Medview Airlines, NAHCON spat over pilgrims air lift

    Medview Airlines and National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) have disagreed on the modalities for the  return leg of pilgrims air lift from Saudi Arabia.

    The disagreement has sparked a huge row between the airline and commission.

    NAHCON was accused of breaching its contractual agreement with the airline on the airlifting of pilgrims to Saudi Arabia, which prompted the carrier to petition the Presidency.

    Documents made available to our correspondent by a source close to the airline alleged that NAHCON through its Acting Chairman, Abdullahi Mukhtar, acted “wickedly, in contravention of the agreement and frustrated” Med-View Airline from continuing with the exercise.

    A source close to NAHCON hinted that the exercise was flawed with “personal interests.”

    Med-View insisted that the action of  NAHCON through Mukhtar amounted to economic sabotage, claiming that he attempted to compel the airline to partner with a Saudi Arabian’s carrier, Flynas despite its partnership with another Nigerian airline, Max Air, which is also participating in the exercise.

    The solicitor to Med-View, Barr. Debo Adeleke, the Principal Lead Counsel, Maritime, Commercial and Immigration Law said  Med-View made down payment of $8,897,663.63 as the total contractual sum for the airlift of 5, 720 pilgrims on May 20, 2019 with First Bank as the  guarantor.

    According to him, the contractual agreement stipulated that on execution of the contract, NAHCON was to pay 50 per cent payment to Med-View, which was supposed to be $4,448,831.08 to enable the airline to conclude all necessary arrangements for the commencement of the hajj operations.

    But, rather than 50 per cent in the contractual sum, the commission made available only 25 per cent payment on July 15, 2019, five days into the exercise.

    According to him, Med-View was given $2,412,539.

    Read Also: Medview Airlines returns

    Before the airline was disallowed from continuing with the outbound exercise, it had already airlifted 4,383 pilgrims in five days of the exercise, with eight airlifts, according to NAHCON website.

    A letter dated July 5, 2019, signed by Alhaji Muneer Bankole, the Chief Executive Officer, MedView Airline and addressed to the Chairman, NAHCON, demanded for payment of $900,000 to be made available to General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) and TAIBA, $400,000 and $500, 000, respectively.

    The letter with the title  ‘Demand note for Payment to GACA and TAIBA,’ reads in part: “As a result of exigency with regards to preparation for 2019 hajj airlift exercise, we write  to request for payment of the sum of $900,000 to GACA and TAIBAH as analysed below: (i) GACA – $400,000  and (ii) TAIBAH – $500, 000.”

    Besides, another letter with the reference number: MCILC/STFGN/NCBTAAB/01/19, dated August 5, 2019 and addressed to the Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Chief of Staff to the President and Secretary to the Federal Government of Nigeria, accused NAHCON Chairman of malice against the carrier.

    The document claimed that the entire 100 per cent was to be returned to the airline in four tranches; 50, 30, 10 and another 10 per cent, but as at August 5, the agreement was not redeemed by NAHCON.

    The report added: “A sum of 35 per cent of the contract sum is payable on the positioning of aircraft by our client for the commencement of the hajj operation and completion of all agreements for the outbound flights, while 10 per cent of the contract sum is meant for the inbound.

    “Sir, it is highly unfortunate and agonising that while our client had meticulously, sincerely and religiously kept to the terms and spirit of the agreement between parties, the acting chairman of NAHCON, failed, refused and neglected to honour the terms and spirit of the said agreement.

    “To salvage the ugly situation, a resolution was reached amongst parties on the 24th July, 2019 whereby amongst other things, the commission was mandated to pay both 50 and 35 per cent contract sum to our client.”

    The solicitor insisted that rather than allow Med-View to continue with the hajj exercise with its contractual agreement with Max Air, Mukhtar wanted to compel Med-View to put some of its pilgrims on Flynas, a Saudi Arabia’s airline, which it alleged the NAHCON boss had an interest in.

    The airline demanded for the payment of the remaining 35 per cent, which it said was already due and 10 per cent of the contract sum in readiness of the return of the pilgrims.

    In another petition to the Acting Chairman, National Hajj Commission (NAHCON), dated August 16, 2019 and copied to the Vice President, Chief of Staff to the President, Secretary to the Federal Government of Nigeria and First Bank, the solicitor to Med-view said there letter written by NAHCON, stating that it had paid the sum of $5,576,582.50, representing 63 per cent of the total contract of $8,897,663.63 was incorrect.

    Rather, the airline said that it received the total sum of $5,576,550.5, but insisted that it airlifted 6,443 at the total value of $10,007,550.00, insisting that the amount received did not amount to 63 per cent as claimed by NAHCON.

    It said that Flynas, a foreign carrier was “selfishly imposed on our client against the indigenous airline in the name of Max Airline,” stressing that the idea of forcing a foreign airline on the carrier was an act of economic sabotage and “a clear negation of the extant Federal Government policies.”

    Our correspondent could not get any official response from NAHCON as at the time of filing this report.

     

  • Presidency queries FIRS boss Fowler over tax cash

    THE Presidency is expecting a comprehensive explanation today from the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) on the “variances between budget and actual collection” of taxes between 2015 and 2018.

    Executive Chairman of the FIRS, Mr. Babatunde Fowler, got a query from Chief of Staff to the President Abba Kyari. He was given today’s deadline to respond.

    The query, titled: “RE: Budgeted FIRS Collections and actual collections” reads: “Your attached letter (FIRS/EC/ECW/0249/19/027 dated 26 July 2019) on the above subject matter refers.

    “We observed significant variances between the budgeted collections and actual collections for the period 2015 to 2018. Accordingly, you are kindly invited to submit a comprehensive variance analysis explaining the reasons for the variances between budgeted and actual collections for each main tax item for each of the years 2015 to 2018.”

    Following the dwindling intake from oil sales and the determination of the government to expand the nation’s revenue base, President Muhammadu Buhari appointed Fowler as FIRS boss on August 18, 2015 on a four-year renewable tenure. Questions are being raised in some quarters about the query, coming at a time the FIRS boss’ tenure is due for renewal or termination.

    Under Fowler, the FIRS in three years – 2016, 2017 and 2018 – collected over N12.6 trillion in taxes.

    It collected N3,307 trillion in 2016, N4,027 trillion in 2017 and N5,320 trillion in 2018. The 2018 collection is the highest amount of taxation ever collected in a year by the federal government.  In 2015, N3.2tr was raked in.

    In January, Fowler announced that the agency was targeting N8 trillion for 2019.

    The FIRS boss could not be reached on Sunday but sources close to him said he would send his response before the expiration of the deadline.

    Read Also: Presidency keeps mum over alleged deployment of Ita Enang

    The query marked: “Restricted” added, “we observed that the actual collections for the period 2015 to 2017 were significantly worse than what was collected between 2012 and 2014. Accordingly, you are kindly invited to explain the reason for the poor collections.

    Mallam Kyari directed Fowler “to respond by 19 August 2019.”

    Before the 2018’s N5.320 trillion collection, the highest was N5.07 trillion, which was generated in 2012 under Ms. Ifueko Omogui.

    Fowler had said in January: “FIRS’ generation of N5.3 trillion is significant as it was at a period when oil prices averaged $70 per barrel. Oil price was at an average of $100 to $120 per barrel between 2010 and 2013.”

    In realising the milestone, the FIRS boss noted that the non-oil component accounted for N2.467 trillion (about 53.62 per cent) of the N5.320 trillion.

    The oil element accounted for N2.852 trillion (46.38 per cent). From audit alone, the FIRS collected N212, 792 billion from 2,278 cases with a huge reduction in audit circle.

    Fowler added: “While we have been steadily increasing revenue collection over the years, our cost of collection has actually been going down in 2016 it was 2.6 per cent, in 2017 it was 2.49 per cent while in 2018 it was 2.14 per cent.”

    The FIRS is entitled to four per cent cost of the total collection.

    He said: “The Service has been making tremendous efforts in also increasing the amount of non-oil revenue it collects. Non-oil collection has contributed 64.99 per cent in 2016, in 2017 it contributed 62.25 per cent and in 2018 it contributed 53.62 per cent. This represents the government’s focus on increasing non-oil sources of revenue and the diversification of the economy.”