Senate panel seeks increased revenue target for Customs.

Senate panel seeks increased revenue target for Customs.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Customs, Excise and Tariff Senator Isah Jibrin on Monday told the Customs Service the N5.079 trillion 2024 revenue target of the agency will be reviewed upwards from the second half of the year to save the country from further borrowings.

Jibrin made this assertion at a meeting with the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Adewale Adeniyi and top management of the revenue agency in Abuja.

Jibrin said: “First of all, Nigeria is saddled with lot of debt obligations and we need to wriggle ourselves out of that trap and one of the ways to do that is Internally Generated Revenue. 

“Customs is one of the major providers of internally generated revenue and as it is today, we expect them to play one of the major roles in this drive to reduce our debt burden.

“We need to pay off what we are owing now and minimize additional loans we are going to take.

“Customs is in a very good position, if they are able to block all perceived leakages, they should be able to generate significant amount of income that will enable Nigeria get out of debt, at least partially.”

On concessions given to some sectors of the economy for example, agriculture, the Kogi East senator said it is for those who are into agricultural services, those who are into solid minerals and those whose services have direct impact on the economy. 

He said: “If somebody is bringing agricultural equipment into the economy and you try to take something out of that person in a way of import duty, that will discourage the person and that is what we are saying. 

“It is not that any body took that money or custom compromised in the course of their services.

“Concessions were in the interest of Nigeria to encourage importers who are going into specific areas in the economy. 

“There is a trade off here between importers and the country, particularly the things you think you are generating.”

On the rate of unemployment in Nigeria, which he described as “very high”, the lawmaker said: “Customs is not the only employer of Labour. They can only employ the number they believe they can adequately take care of and we are putting them under pressure to exceed the 1,600 benchmark. 

“We may not get beyond 2000, but for sure, we will get 1,600 and like we all know, there are so many unemployed Nigerians out there, I will always say, it is difficult for the Nigeria Customs Service to absorb all unemployed Nigerians, but they can only employ those they can.”

While responding to questions from the lawmakers, the NCS boss disclosed that the service is seeking approval from government to allow them give waivers to owners of smuggled cars to allow them regularise their payment of Customs duties.

This, he said, will be done after adequate publicity so that those who find themselves in such situation can get their vehicles regularised through payment of duties.

On the naira exchange rate, Adeniyi said he is also pained by the volatility in the exchange rate regime.

“In fact, even if it stays high and people can predict that this is what it will take me to clear, perhaps it is not particularly too bad, but when it is so volatile, today it is X, tomorrow it is X+10, X+20, it does not make for adequate planning and things like that.

“Currently, it is the mandate of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to fix the rate, either the one we use during Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) or the one we use for importation or the one used for payment of Customs duties.

“I have been in discussions with my minister. Perhaps, what you are going to advocate is that there would be a meeting point between authorities of government that are in charge of monetary policy and those in charge of fiscal policy.

“Personally, what I think we can do is to get a spot rate for a period of time. We can agree that for Q,Y 2024 this will be the spot rate for payment of Customs duties; we could say for the first half of the year,” he said.

EFCC arrests General Overseer over alleged N1.3bn fake grants, money laundering.

EFCC arrests General Overseer over alleged N1.3bn fake grants, money laundering.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested the General Overseer of Faith On The Rock Ministry International, Apostle Theophilus Ebonyi, over allegation of defrauding church members and other Nigerians.

EFCC Spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, who made this known in a statement on Monday in Abuja, said the pastor was arrested for allegedly using fake grants from the Ford Foundation to the tune of N1,319,040,274.31.

“Ebonyi was arrested for defrauding his victims, comprising Non-Governmental Organisations(NGOs) and individuals by advertising an intervention project through his NGO (Theobarth Global Foundation).

“Claiming that the Ford Foundation was offering a grant of 20 billion dollar to assist the less-privileged in the society.

“He allegedly beguiled his victims to subscribe as beneficiaries of the phony grant by asking them to pay for registration forms and clusters.

“Each subscriber was made to pay N1,800,000 (One Million, Eight Hundred Thousand Naira only).

“Through this arrangement, Ebonyi allegedly raked in N1,391,040, 274.31. (One Billion Three Hundred and Nineteen Million, Forty Thousand, Two Hundred and Seventy Four Naira, Thirty One Kobo).

“His subscribers are innocent and unsuspecting Nigerians and NGOs across the country,” he said.

Oyewale said that investigations by the EFCC showed that Ford Foundation had no arrangement, grant, relationship or business with Ebonyi.

“The Foundation pointedly disclaimed him and his NGO, stressing that it had no link whatsoever with them.

“The Commission has also traced five properties he acquired as proceeds of his criminal dealings.

“Ebonyi is still reportedly reaching his subscribers on some social media platforms to market his spurious grant from Ford Foundation.

“He would be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded,” he said.

(NAN)

Wike pledges to complete all abandoned projects in FCT area councils.

Wike pledges to complete all abandoned projects in FCT area councils.

The Minister of the FCT, Mr Nyesom Wike, has promised to complete all abandoned projects across the six Area Councils of the territory.

Wke gave the assurance in Kuje on Monday, while inaugurating the construction of a five-kilometre dual carriageway in Kuje, Kuje Area Council of the federal capital.

“Any project that was awarded before now, and abandoned, we have to go back to those projects, because government is continuum.

“It is public money, so we cannot allow government money to be wasted simply because we were not the one that awarded it, no.

“We will continue with those projects since it will have a positive impact on the lives of our people. That is what is important to us, and we are going to do it,” he said.

He explained that the five-kilometre road project was nominated by the Kuje Area Council Chairman, Mr Abdullahi Sabo.

He said that the project was part of efforts of the current administration to take development to rural communities, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda.

He said that transforming the rural economies through the provision of road infrastructure has nothing to do with political party, but simply about good governance.

“This has nothing to do with a party; this is about governance; this is about touching every rural area, and every area council.

“Whether All Progressive Congress is in charge of this area council, or Peoples Democratic Party is in charge, or no party is in charge, we are going to touch every area council.

“That is the directive of President Tinubu,” the minister said.

Wike disclosed that in the next one or two weeks, the FCT Administration would begin a total renovation of not less than 25 schools and complete abandoned hospital projects.

He said: “We are not just talking about only roads, we are also talking about schools, we are also going to come to hospitals that have been abandoned.

“Take for example, the Utako General Hospital that has not been completed; the General Hospital Gwagwalada. We are going to put them in order for the use of our people.”

Earlier, the FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud said that while urban development often takes the spotlight, it is imperative not to overlook the needs of rural communities.

“I have no doubt that rural road infrastructure forms the backbone of rural economies and contributes significantly to the overall development of a nation.

“Improved road networks that connect rural producers to markets, enabling them to sell their goods at fair prices and access essential services more easily.

“This enhances productivity, creates employment opportunities, and stimulates local economies,” Mahmoud said.

The Chairman of the council, Sabo, described the event as the first of its kind since the return of democracy in 1999.

The chairman said that the dualisation of the road would solve the challenges of perennial flood and overflow of drainages along the road during the rainy season.

He pledged the council’s continued support to complement Wike’s efforts to bring development to the people.

The traditional leader of the area, the Gomo of Kuje, Alhaji Haruna Jibrin, commended the minister for the commitment to renew the hope of residents.

Jibrin said that the road, when completed, would improve the movement of people in the area and enhance economic growth and development.

He further announced the conferment of the traditional title of the “Jikan Dan Majidadin” (A symbol of Goodwill) Kuje, making the third traditional title conferred on the minister.

He was conferred with the traditional title of “Sarkin Yaki” (Warlord) of Paikon Kore by the Aguma of Gwagwalada, Chief Mohammad Magaji and the “Barde of Bwari” (Warrior of Bwari) by the Esu Bwari, Mr Ibrahim Yaro.

Dr Olusegun Olusa, Oversite Director, Satellite Towns Development Department, FCTA, explained that the project, awarded to Gilmor Engineering Nigeria Ltd, was a dual carriageway from Tipper Junction to LEA Secretariat, Kuje.

A developer, Mr Patrick Ojo, who spoke on the sideline of the event, said that the project would impact tremendously on the people of Kuje.

Ojo said that the journey from Kuje to Gwagwalada, through the road should be less than seven minutes’ drive but taking longer due to traffic congestion on the road.

“So, the project, when completed, will decongest this road and will by effect, also allow free flow of traffic,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that minister had on Feb. 1, inaugurated an emergency construction and rehabilitation of nine-kilometre Paikon Kore – Ibwa Road, in Gwagwalada Area Council.

The minister had also inaugurated the construction of 7.2-kilometre road, linking Gaba and Tokulo communities in Bwari Area Council of the FCT, as part of efforts to transform rural economies.

(NAN)

NAFDAC begins enforcement of ban on alcoholic drinks in sachets.

NAFDAC begins enforcement of ban on alcoholic drinks in sachets.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has commenced the enforcement of the ban on the importation, manufacture, distribution, sale, and use of alcoholic beverages in sachets, PET, and glass bottles of 200ml and below.

The Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, stated this on Monday at a press conference in Abuja.

“As of January 31, 2024, there is no alcoholic beverage in these categories that are registered by NAFDAC. I also want to inform you that the agency has started enforcement actions to enforce the implementation of this policy. The window period given to manufacturers by NAFDAC to sell off all alcoholic drinks in this category elapsed on January 31, 2024.

“To this end on the first day, after the elapse of the window period, the agency commenced nationwide enforcement actions on February 1, 2024 to enforce the implementation of the new policy,” she said.

She added that during enforcement actions, it was discovered that some manufacturers of the banned products were still producing the products, and still had stacks of both finished products and packaging materials of the products in their possession.

“This situation is of course not acceptable, and the agency views this as flagrant disobedience to the laws of Nigeria. NAFDAC views this matter seriously and will engage all statutory means, which may include prosecution, to deal with the matter. 

“I want to use this medium to ask all holders of alcohol in sachets, PET and glass bottles, empty sachets, PET bottles, empty glass bottles, and other packaging materials of these banned products to immediately report to the Investigation and Enforcement Directorate of NAFDAC for hand-over of same to NAFDAC for destruction, to prevent sterner measures including prosecution,” she declared.

In January 2022, NAFDAC stopped the registration of alcoholic beverages in sachet and small volume PET and glass bottles below 200ml.

This decision was based on the recommendation of a high-powered committee of the Federal Ministry of Health and NAFDAC, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, and the Industry represented by the Association of Food, Beverages and Tobacco Employers, Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria, in December 2018.

As a result of the decision reached at the end of the committee meeting, producers of alcohol in sachets and small volume agreed to reduce the production by five per cent with effect from January 31, 2022, while ensuring the product is completely phased out in the country by January 31, 2024.

“NAFDAC committed to ensuring that the validity of renewal of already registered alcoholic products in the affected category does not exceed the year 2024.

“NAFDAC is resolutely committed to the strict implementation of the regulations and regulatory measures towards safeguarding the health of Nigerians, particularly the vulnerable youth, against the dangers of reckless consumption of alcohol,” Adeyeye assured.

The don warned that the people mostly at risk of the negative effects of consumption of the banned pack sizes of alcoholic beverages are the under-aged, commercial vehicle drivers and riders.

“The World Health Organisation has established that children who drink alcohol are more likely to use drugs, get bad grades, suffer injury or death, engage in risky sexual activity, make bad decisions, and have health problems.

“The WHO also stated that harmful consumption of alcohol is linked to more than 200 health conditions including infectious diseases – Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS; and non-communicable conditions- liver cirrhosis and different types of cancer. It is also associated with social problems, such as alcohol addiction and gender-based violence.

“To curb the menace of abuse of alcohol, WHO recommended some actions and strategies to policymakers that have shown to be effective and cost-effective, which includes regulating the marketing of alcoholic beverages, and regulating and restricting the availability of alcohol,” she explained.

FG to include cancer treatment in health insurance scheme.

FG to include cancer treatment in health insurance scheme.

The Federal Government on Monday said efforts were ongoing to include cancer treatment in the National Health Insurance Scheme.

This is to ensure adequate and affordable healthcare services for citizens diagnosed with cancer.

The National Coordinator, Cancer Control Programme, Federal Ministry of Health, Uche Nwokwu, disclosed this at the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association Cancer Awareness Summit, in commemoration of the Year 2024 World Cancer Day.

Nwokwu noted that the government has in place the Cancer Health Funds which provides comprehensive cancer care for patients.

According to him, over 2,445 patients had been registered for the scheme while over 750 patients are currently being funded.

He said, “We understand that one of the major things cancer affects is the pockets of the affected affected families and communities. Cancer is capable of impoverishing anybody. Nobody has the capacity on their own to afford cancer care anywhere in the world not just in Nigeria.

“The government is taking steps to ensure that it is included in the health insurance which is one of the major areas that people can afford to to assess the care and pay for it.

“We also understand that since not everybody is yet on health insurance, the one has provided what they call cancer health funds, the fund provides comprehensive cancer care. As we speak over 2,445 patients are registered and over 750 have been funded. The fund provides treatment for surgery, chemotherapy, and therapy and its centre is at the National Hospital. We also have a mandate of the minister to go across the country.”

Nwoku added that the government had also entered into partnerships with Non-governmental Organisations to subsidise the cost of chemotherapies.

“The government also partnered with some NGOs and other sector players to reduce the costs of chemotherapies which are also very expensive,” he added.

The Wife of the Chief of Army Staff, Mariya Lagbaja, noted that lack of awareness and access to quality health care among others have widened the care gap for cancer patients.

Lagbaja said, “As we are all aware, some of these gaps include limited access to quality healthcare facilities, financial restrictions faced by patients, and limited awareness regarding the Disease.

“Without any doubt, the lack of awareness most especially, has serious consequences, as it prevents many people from seeking early diagnosis and prompt treatment.”

She, however, urged Nigerians to undergo regular screenings and actively participate in raising awareness about the disease.

Lagbaja said, “As we commemorate this event, let us remember that our collective efforts have the power to make a difference. By spreading awareness, advocating for regular screenings, and supporting those affected by Cancer, we can contribute to a future where this disease no longer claims lives.”

Cancer is a disease in which some of the body’s cells grow uncontrollably and spread to other parts of the body.

The National Cancer Control Plan (2018–2022) stated that cancer causes 72,000 annual deaths in Nigeria, with approximately 102,000 new cases each year.

Oyo orders LG chairmen, monarchs to flush out illegal miners.

Oyo orders LG chairmen, monarchs to flush out illegal miners.

Oyo State Government, on Monday, ordered all the 33 local government chairmen in the state as well as traditional rulers and chiefs to flush out illegal miners, bandits and land grabbers in their respective council areas.

An explosion rocked Adeyi Avenue at Old Bodija in Ibadan, on Tuesday, January 16, killing five people, and injuring 77 others while 55 houses were damaged.

The state governor, Seyi Makinde, later attributed the explosion to the activities of an alleged illegal miner who he said stored explosives at home.

The order for the flushing out of illegal miners was given by the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Olusegun Olayiwola while addressing newsmen after a closed-door meeting with the council bosses at the conference room of the ministry in Ibadan, the state capital.

He also warned that the government has zero tolerance for crime and criminality and will stop at nothing to ensure the safety of the lives and property of its citizens.

Olayiwola vowed that the government would not fold its arms and watch criminals take over the state adjudged as one of the safest in the country.

He said, ”One of the major points that was extensively discussed today (Monday) is the issue of security of lives and property in the state. You will recall that about three weeks ago, there was an explosion at Bodija, Ibadan which eventually turned out to be a result of illegal activities of illegal miners who are not supposed to keep such terrible equipment in the residential areas.

“As a result of this, chairmen and women in the 33 local government areas of the state were invited to the office of the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters today (Monday) and we decided to address the press about the outcome of the meeting.

“The security situation in the state is very fluid, and as a result of this, the chairmen and chairwomen in the local governments have decided that the three critical areas that the people and government of the state need to look into are the areas of illegal mining, land grabbing and banditry.

”We have been coping with the issue of banditry for a while now, but unfortunately, the issue of land grabbing has taken centre stage of the insecurity of lives and property of the citizens of the state. The meeting discussed this extensively today (Monday) and decided that forthwith, the chairmen and chairwomen of the local government are being saddled with the responsibility of taking charge of the security situations of their local governments as the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has given them the power to do as the Chief Security Officers of their local governments.

”As a result of this, we decided that the illegal miners, wherever they may be, the chairmen of various local governments should go after them, they should hunt and fish them out wherever they are. This can easily be done with the collaboration, assistance and support of royal fathers and traditional chiefs all over the councils. When they see something, they should say something, to be able to apprehend these people.

”As a matter of urgency, they should hold an emergency meeting with security committees of their various local governments and conclude that the committee will serve as a task force that will embark on the manhunting of illegal miners, land grabbers and bandits.

“The meeting had mandated the council bosses to compulsorily hold a joint security meeting every last Thursday of the month in their respective councils beginning from February 2024.”

He said the outcome of such a meeting must be made available to the local government and chieftaincy matters’ ministry before the end of each month so that the ministry can take the decisions or findings of each of the councils to the state governor, Seyi Makinde.

While citing the recent suspension of the Onido of Ido, Oba Gbolagade Babalola by the state government over alleged links with illegal miners, the commissioner urged royal fathers to expose anyone known to be having ties with illegal miners to inform the relevant authority for prompt action.

In his remarks, the state Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, Sikiru Sanda, assured the government of adequate security surveillance in all the local governments to make the state not only safe for the citizens but also for local and foreign investors.

In his remarks, the Director-General, of Solid Minerals Development Agency, Abiodun Oni, urged every citizen to take security issues as their responsibility and not the government alone.

Kebbi Gov dissolves local government chairmen, secretaries.

Kebbi Gov dissolves local government chairmen, secretaries.

Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, has dissolved all the elected Chairmen of the 21 Local Government Areas of the state and their Secretaries.

The dissolution of the chairmen followed the expiration of their tenure, which ended on Monday, February 5.

The governor directed the chairmen to hand over the mantle of leadership to the Directors of Personnel Management of their local government councils.

A statement by the media aide to the governor, Ahmed Idris, said the governor, while addressing the outgoing chairmen at Government House, Birnin Kebbi, on Monday, thanked them for the services rendered to their constituencies while applauding their efforts that they had done well.

“He insisted that there were laws governing the local government administration and it had become imperative for government to respect those laws and act as leaders.

“We need to do the needful so that later anything can follow. We did not intend to send anybody away, however, we will make sure that nobody is left behind.

He pleaded, “This is your government, therefore you need to support it to succeed, of course, there is the need for you to work assiduously to see that this government succeed,”

“Governor Idris promised to continue to deliver dividends of democracy to all parts of the state “in fulfilment of our campaign promises,” the statement read.

Responding on behalf of other local government chairmen, the Chairman, of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria, in the state, Alhaji Aminu Sarkin-Fada appreciated the governor for his support which according to him helped them record successes.

“I believe without the support of His Excellency, we wouldn’t have achieved what we have achieved,” he insisted.

He listed the distribution of fertilisers free-of-charge to farmers as well as cash disbursement to empower people, saying that the gesture had made many people to now stand on their feet, “they became self-reliant due to the support and magnanimity of His Excellency.”