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Another Akwa Ibom Senator Dumps PDP For APC

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Another Akwa Ibom Senator Dumps PDP For APC

[dropcap]S[/dropcap]enator Eme Ekaette, representing Akwa Ibom South Senatorial zone and former state deputy governor, Mrs Valerie Ebe on Tuesday defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Others that defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC are retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Udom Ekpoudom and former Chairman of Eka Local Government, Mr Francis Ikpon.

The state Chairman of APC, Mr Ini Okpobodi, received the defectors at a solidarity district rally and reception held for Obong Nsima Ekere at Eket.  Okpobodi said at the occasion that the PDP had virtually collapsed in the state.

“On behalf of Akwa Ibom APC, I stand as Chairman to receive the latest members of our party in their hundreds in the state. “They are here ably led by former Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom, Mrs Valerie Ebe and Distinguished Sen. Eme Ekaette.

Okpobodi handed over the defectors to the National Chairman of APC, Adams Oshiomhole, represented by the National Vice-Chairman of APC South-South, Mr Hillary Eta.

Eta expressed delight at the defection of the former PDP chieftains into APC fold, describing the defectors as `wonderful Nigerians’.

Immigration Promotes 1,392 Personnel

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Immigration Promotes 1,392 Personnel
Comptroller-General Of Immigration, Mr Mohammed Babandede

[dropcap]N[/dropcap]igeria Immigration Service (NIS) has promoted and converted a total of 1,392 personnel in its workforce. Acting spokesman of the agency, Mr Amos Okpu, announced this in a statement on Monday in Abuja.

Okpu said the exercise was approved by the Civil Defence, Fire, Immigration and Prisons Services Board (CDFIPB) through a Sept. 7 memo following its 62nd meeting. A breakdown of the figure shows that 37 Assistant Superintendents of Immigration (2) on Consolidated Paramilitary Salary Structure (CONPASS) 08 were elevated to Assistant Superintendents of Immigration 1 on CONPASS 09.

Four hundred Higher National Diploma (HND) holders were promoted from Inspectors on CONPASS 07 to Senior Inspectors of Immigration on CONPASS 08 with effect Sept. 8, 2016.

According to him, 209 officers were laterally converted from the Inspectorate Cadre to Superintendent Cadre across the rank effective Jan. 1, 2017. The figure includes the conversion/upgrading of 781 junior personnel to the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Immigration (II) with effect from Jan. 1, 2017, Okpu said.

He added that 174 Chief Immigration Assistants (CIA), who are holders of the National Certificate in Education and the Ordinary National Diploma (OND) were converted to Inspectors of Immigration (II) effective Jan. 1, 2018.

Okpu said the Comptroller-General of Immigration, Mr Muhammad Babandede, was elated over the development, and has urged the beneficiaries to reciprocate government’s gesture through dedication to service.

NYSC DG Reveals When Corps Members’ Allowance Will Be Increased

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NYSC DG Reveals When Corps Members’ Allowance Will Be Increased

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Brig. Gen. Sale Zakari Kazaure, says corps members’ allowance would be increased after the implementation of the new minimum wage of civil servants.

Kazaure made the disclosure while addressing 2018 batch ‘B’ (stream II) corps members at the NYSC Orientation Camp in Issele-Uku, Delta State. The NYSC boss was reacting to reports of increment in the monthly allowances of serving corps members.

According to him, corps members were not “different from civil servants, so whenever the minimum wage of civil servants is increased, increment in corps members’ allowance will automatically be effected.”

He noted that the Corp is working closely with relevant security agencies to ensure the safety of corps members in their various places of primary assignments.

He called on corps members to “maintain neutrality if they are called upon as ad-hoc workers for the 2019 general elections.” “Anywhere you find yourselves, be neutral. Also be good ambassadors and be patriotic to your country. Anyone found wanting will be dealt with,” Kazaure added.

In New Revenue Drive, FIRS Targets Billionaire Tax Defaulters

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In New Revenue Drive, FIRS Targets Billionaire Tax Defaulters
Mr. Babatunde Fowler
The Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS)

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mr. Babatunde Fowler, has disclosed that the agency will soon target defaulting taxpayers who have billions in their bank accounts but refuse to honour tax obligations to the country. He said over 6,772 billionaire taxpayers had been identified by the service leveraging on bank data, adding that the FIRS would through all banks do what it called substitution on accounts for such identified taxpayers.

The FIRS boss spoke at a stakeholders’ meeting which held last Thursday in Lagos, noting that those who had between N1 billion and N5 billion in their accounts have no Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) or have an identification but never filed any tax returns as tax payers.
Fowler was quoted by a source as saying, “What we have done is what we call ‘substitution’ which also is in our laws which empowers us to appoint the banks as collection agents for tax.
“So, all these ones of TIN and no pay and no TIN and no pay, to the total of 6,772 will have their accounts frozen or put under substitution pending when they come forward.”
He said, “First, they refused to come forward in 2016, they refused to come forward under VAT and are still operating here. So, we are putting them under notice that it is their civic responsibility to pay tax and to file returns on these accounts.
“We looked at all businesses, partnerships, corporate accounts that have a minimum turnover of N1 billion per annum for the past three years. First of all, the law states clearlythat before you open a corporate account, part of the opening documentation is the tax I.D. From the 23 banks, we have analysed so far, we have 31,395 records, out of which effectively minus duplications we had 18,602.”
Continuing, he said, “We broke those into three categories: Those that have TIN tax I.D, those that don’t have no TIN and of course no TIN no pay and those that have TIN and have not even paid anything.
“So, on a minimum, every company or business included here over the last three years have had a banking turnover of N3 billion and above. Some of them have had banking turnover of over N5 billion and have not paid one kobo in taxes. Now the total number of TIN and no pay is 6,772.
“So, if someone is good in mathematics and you take the minimum level of N3 billion multiply by 409 and they are operating within our society and economy and do not remit or make any tax payment.”
Commenting further on some far-reaching measures being taken against wealthy tax defaulters, Fowler said, “…If you do not file your returns and you are in constant default, we use turnover as a basis of estimating your tax liability’. For example, if your turnover is N100 million, we assume that 20 per cent of that is profit and we tax that at 30 per cent.
He said some of the people or companies “claim not to own the properties, those of them that claim not to own the properties and of course were sent to government, presidency to decide what would happen to those properties that have no owners.
“To those that have owners and have not paid, they would be prosecuted. We are also in the process of going to court to get the approval of the court orders to sell those properties.
“We are not only doing that in Abuja, we have concluded it in Lagos. We are currently doing it in Osun, Oyo and Kaduna States and eventually we would cover the whole federation.
“The idea here is simple. If you have had the opportunity to make your wealth in this economy, in this society, the least you can do is pay your tax.
“We have not included any group who by law are not meant to pay tax in this group. So far, we have sent out 2,980 letters and we believe that before the end of September we would get most of them out.

Erue,Utomi differ over Delta APC resolution on primaries

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Erue,Utomi differ over Delta APC resolution on primaries

[dropcap]A[/dropcap]ll Progressives Congress, APC, governorship aspirant in Delta State in the forthcoming general election, Prof. Pat Utomi, has invited the national leadership of the party to intervene and conduct direct primaries for the selection of candidates, saying the Prophet Jones Erue leadership was bent on a hidden agenda.

His assertion was immediately dismissed by Erue, the chairman of the state chapter of the party, who described the accusation as false, affirming that he had given equal footing to all aspirants in the party.

Utomi’s assertion followed last weekend’s disputed stakeholders’ meeting at the end of which the party leadership announced a unanimous resolution to conduct indirect primaries for the selection of candidates. Utomi who was present at the meeting, however, disputed the claim that it was a pre-arranged agenda and he spoke against it.

Noting that the meeting itself was not properly arranged to receive inputs from all stakeholders, Utomi in a statement by his campaign spokesman, Engr. Leonard Obibi, said: “Prof. Utomi urges the national leadership of the party under the chairmanship of Adams Oshiomhole to intervene urgently by ensuring direct primaries in Delta State.”

Gov. Ambode declares for second term bid

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Gov. Ambode declares for second term bid

 

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has  declared his intention to seek re-election in 2019 on the platform of the All Progressives Congress on Monday.

Ambode spoke at the open ground in Alausa, while addressing party faithful who thronged the place, telling them there was more to be done and he was not tired. According to our reporter, Ambode had earlier picked his nomination form for a second term at the APC Headquarters in Abuja.

“In these three and a half years as your governor, I have seen visible proof that we can achieve unbelievable things when we all come together with no more than our belief in our dreams.

“We achieved because you believed. But there is still a lot more to be done. But I am not daunted. I am not tired and I am sure you feel the same way because we all envision a better Lagos, a Lagos of our dreams,” he said.

The governor said he had collected his nomination form earlier in the day, and asked for support as he sought to continue with the mandate to steer the affairs of the state.

“I ask you to believe again, and together, let’s achieve more.

“Exactly four years ago, I called on you to join me in a journey of selfless service to build a secure and prosperous Lagos State driven by a vibrant economy and supported by quality service, equity and justice.

“You believed in me and gave me your support,” Ambode said.

He thanked Lagosians for believing in him and his government as well as their support so far throughout this administration. “I thank all members of our great party, the All Progressives Congress; our political leaders, most especially our National Leader, Chief Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for giving me the platform to contribute to the further growth and development of our state.

Probe Asaba Capital Development Authority, DLA over neglect of  A.C. Nwanze Street

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Probe Asaba Capital Development Authority, DLA over neglect of  A.C. Nwanze Street
Deplorable state of A.C. Nwanze Street off DLA Road , Asaba

[dropcap]R[/dropcap]esidents of A.C. Nwanze street  in Asaba of Oshimili South Local Government Area, Delta State have decried the deplorable state of the their street road ,calling for its immediate repair. A cross-section of the residents who spoke to Grassroots Publishers reporters in the street,described the  road as a shame to the state government to have left a major street  which is about 3km away from Direct Labour Agency(DLA) office in Asabain this shape and rejected manner.  According to them,there is need for urgent government intervention to alleviate the sufferings and pains of the residents. The street has remained neglected for some years and several reported plans to construct the road by Asaba Capital Development Authority has clearly been abandoned.

Residents of A.C. Nwanze street  have sent an SOS to the Executive Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa for  his urgent intervention in rehabilitation of their street road which is in a very deplorable condition. According to a resident who was in tears  while talking to our reporter,said they have been living in pains and agony since 2016 as flood has taken over the entire street , because cars and keke cannot  ply the street road any longer, even the residents park their cars outside the street.

Deplorable state of A.C. Nwanze Street off DLA Road , Asaba

Another resident who pleaded anonymity said that  the residents of this street are highly disappointed with the performances of the present administration mostly  on DLA road. “The entire residents of this street voted for Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa in the last Governorship election,  but we cannot understand why this government  is paying us back in this way”.

Our street has remained neglected and several reported plans to construct the road by Asaba Capital Development Authority has clearly been pigeon-holed”. The situation of this obvious neglect had become more pronounced in DLA road and its sub-streets. The question is, how long should  A.C. Nwanze street  remain like this? Is  Asaba Capital Development Authority, ACDA and Direct Labour Agency, DLA working in Delta State? The answer is capital NO!

Gov. Ifeanyi  Okowa should  scrap these two failed agencies who have failed woefully  in Delta State  and the government should stop wasting the tax payers money on them . The residents  are  appealing to  the Delta State Government to order the immediate repair of this road because it is getting worse on daily basis”.

Nigeria Police sack cops who raided Edwin Clark’s house in Abuja

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Nigeria Police sack cops who raided Edwin Clark’s house in Abuja
                    IGP Ibrahim Idris

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris has dismissed three policemen who raided the home of elder statesman, Cheif Edwin Clark in Asokoro area of Abuja residence.
The Force spokesman, Jimoh Moshood in a statement explained that the Inspector-General of Police has approved the dismissal of Insprs. Godwin Musa, Sada Abubakar and Yabo Paul from the service “for the unauthorised, illegal and unprofessional misconduct in the search of the residence of Chief Edwin Clark in Asokoro, Abuja.”
He added that ASP David Dominic who led the operation had been queried and was being investigated for discreditable conduct, negligence of duty and act unbecoming of a police officer. Moshood hinted that the ASP too may be dismissed.
Moshood added that the suspect (informant) Ismail Yakubu from Waru Village, Apo District, Abuja, has been charged to Upper Area Court Mpape, Abuja for giving false information and telling falsehood that misled Police action.”
But Chief Clark’s lawyer, Dr. Kayode Ajulo is insisting on a thorough investigation of the incident, stressing that the policemen could not have carried out the search of his client’s house without authorisation.
He warned that the policemen should not be made the scapegoat in the saga, noting that only a thorough probe would satisfy his client.

Fear grips Abuja residents over earth tremors as FEMA assures no likelihood occurrence

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Fear grips Abuja residents over earth tremors as FEMA assures no likelihood occurrence

[dropcap]R[/dropcap]esidents in parts of Nigeria’s capital Abuja experienced earth tremors on Wednesday evening and Thursday morning raising fears that there could be an imminent earthquake. The federal capital territory emergency management agency (FEMA) says the residents of Abuja have nothing to fear over the earth shaking recorded in some areas of the state as the area was not in earthquake zone.
A FEMA statement said the incident was likely caused by stress in underground rocks resulting from human activities which included blasting and mining of rocks.
It tasked residents of the affected areas – Mpape and parts of Maitama district – to observe basic precautionary measures in the event of a tremor. Among others; to always remain calm and stay in a safe room. If outside, keep away from buildings, trees and power lines and if driving to slow down and drive to a clean place until the shaking stops.
Parts of the FEMA statement read as follows:
“We have been inundated with distress calls in our watch room as a result of earth shaking happening around Mpape and part of Maitama district of the federal capital territory.
“Whilst appreciating the call from the public, the FCT emergency management agency (FEMA) wish to make the following statements; “That the possible cause of the earth shaking might be as a result of earth tremor. That it is a sign of seismic movement within the earth. This is caused by sudden break along a fault line which results in sudden release of energy that makes the ground to shake.
“It is caused by stress in underground rocks and may be due to rock blasting and mining activities in an area.
“The residents are to note that there is nothing to panic s there is no likelihood of any earthquake disaster in Nigeria as we are not in earthquake zone. Therefore, we are urging all residents to calm down and be rest assured that the abnormal situation will soon stop.
“Calm and do not panic. If you stay in a building, locate a safe room, drop down and take cover under desk or table and hold tight on it. You should stay away from windows and objects that may fall.
“If you are outdoors, find a clean spot away from buildings, trees and powerlines. If you are in a car, slow down and drive to a clean place, stay in the car until the shaking stops.”

South Africa’s economy slumps into recession for first time since 2009

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South Africa’s economy slumps into recession for first time since 2009
               South African President
                   Cyril Ramaphosa

[dropcap]S[/dropcap]outh Africa’s economy contracted by 0.7 percent in the second quarter in quarter-on-quarter terms, pushing the country into recession after a revised 2.6 percent contraction in the first quarter, data from Statistics South Africa showed on Tuesday.
The second-quarter gross domestic product (GDP) reading was much worse than the 0.6 percent expansion analysts had predicted. The decline came from agriculture, transport and retail sectors.
Stats SA data also showed economic output rose 0.4 percent on an unadjusted year-on-year basis in the second quarter, versus analysts’ predictions for growth of 1.0 percent.
The economic contraction is a stinging blow to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s efforts to revive the economy after a decade of stagnation.The rand stretched losses against the dollar to more than 2 percent and government bonds fell after the data was released. Analysts had predicted the economy would grow 0.6 percent in the latest quarter.
“We are in a recession. We reported a contraction in the first quarter and now in the second quarter with a fall of 0.7 percent,” Statistician-General Risenga Maluleke said.Africa’s most developed economy needs faster economic growth if it is to reduce high unemployment – currently at 27 percent – and alleviate poverty and inequality that stokes instability.
Unemployment is a hot-button issue ahead of national elections in 2019, and the African National Congress (ANC) has made repeated pledges that things will improve.Statistics South Africa said agricultural output fell 29.2 percent in the second quarter, while the transport, communication and storage sector shrank 4.9 percent. Mining output grew by 4.9 percent and finance by 1.9 percent, however.
Statistics South Africa said the economic contraction in the first quarter was steeper than initially recorded, at 2.6 percent, and that gross fixed capital formation fell by 0.5 percent in the second quarter.
Ramaphosa has made wooing foreign and domestic money a cornerstone of his economic reform agenda, so the investment numbers will come as a big disappointment.The buoyant market mood that took hold after he was elected leader of the ruling ANC in December and then president of South Africa in February appear to have dissipated.
The president is currently in China, attending a summit. President Xi Jinping pledged $60 billion to African nations at Monday’s opening of a China-Africa forum on cooperation.
Economists said the dismal data would probably make it harder for the South African Reserve Bank to raise interest rates, as inflation has been gradually rising in recent months. Inflation stood at 5.1 percent in July.
The GDP figures could also draw the attention of ratings agencies, who have South Africa’s sovereign ratings near “junk” status.
“There is no way to sugar-coat the numbers, the growth picture in the first half of 2018 is ugly and it shows in this economy that there is broad-based weakness across the primary and tertiary sectors of the economy,” said senior economist at BNP Paribas Jeffrey Schultz.Head of research at ETM Analytics, George Glynos, said the recession was a function of years of maladministration.
“Clearly this is not what Ramaphosa would like running into the elections next year,” he said. “The optics of South Africa are poor.”
Jason Tuvey, senior emerging markets economist at Capital Economics, said he expected the economy to recover over the rest of this year but that a sharp rebound was unlikely.
“Today’s data will further dent hopes that Cyril Ramaphosa’s presidency would lead to a marked turnaround in South Africa’s economic fortunes,” Tuvey wrote in a note.

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