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Tag: FAAC

  • IGR: Our target is to pay salaries without FAAC – Enugu Govt

    IGR: Our target is to pay salaries without FAAC – Enugu Govt

    The Enugu State Government says its target this year is to pay salaries from the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) rather than relying on allocation from the Federal Government.

    The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof Chidiebere Onyia made the disclosure at the 49th Annual Synod of the Enugu Archdiocese of the Methodist Church on Sunday.

    According to the SSG, who represented the governor, Mr Peter Mbah at the event, the government is determined to improve the revenue earnings of the state as well as boost its Gross Domestic Product from N4 billion to N40 billion.

    Onyia explained that the government did not increase taxes but to block the loopholes in revenue generation and capture businesses that had not been paying taxes.

    He encouraged residents of the state especially the private sector to pay their taxes direct to government coffers.

    “We have succeeded in blocking people from printing fake receipts on behalf of the government and ensured that all tax payments are paid to the government.

    “Our target is to pay salaries without allocation from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) but from our IGR,” the SSG said.

    He also disclosed that in the next 40 days, there would be pipe borne water in most parts of the state capital adding that major road constructions and rehabilitations in some parts of the state would also be completed.

    The SSG thanked the Methodist Church for its support to the government especially during elections.

    Onyia urged the clergy to assist in teaching the people on behavioral change by encouraging their members to perform their civic responsibilities including payments of taxes.

    Earlier, the Methodist Archbishop of Enugu Diocese, Most Rev. Christopher Edeh commended the governor for its achievements since assumption of office 10 months ago.

    The archbishop however, urged the government to reconsider its method of collecting taxes as the Small and Medium Entrepreneurs were finding it difficult to cope with the tax agents.

    Edeh also advised the governor to consider existing primary and secondary schools in its Smart School project noting that the government seemed to ignore the old schools while erecting new ones.

    He explained that the annual synod was the highest decision making body of the church where it reviewed and improve on its activities.

    The archbishop appealed to the government to include the church in its development programmes especially in appointive positions.

  • FAAC shares N1.152trn revenue among FG, states, LGCs

    FAAC shares N1.152trn revenue among FG, states, LGCs

    The Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) has shared a total sum of N1.152 trillion February revenue to the Federal Government, states and Local Government Councils (LGCs).

    The revenue was shared on Thursday at the March meeting of FAAC chaired by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Wale Edun.

    According to a communiqué issued by FAAC, the N1.152 trillion total distributable revenue comprised distributable statutory revenue of N101.349 billion and distributable Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue of N428.806 billion.

    It also comprised Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL) revenue of N15.157 billion and Exchange Difference revenue of N607.444 billion.

    “Total revenue of N2.326 trillion was available in the month of February.

    “Total deduction for cost of collection was N66.456 billion; total transfers, interventions and refunds was N856.937 billion and savings was N250.000 billion.

    “Gross statutory revenue of N1.192 trillion was received for the month of February, which is higher than the sum of N1.151 trillion received in January by N40.620 billion,” the communique said.

    It said that the gross revenue available from VAT in February was N460.487 billion, which was higher than the N420.733 billion* available in January by N39.755 billion.

    The communiqué said that from the N1.152 trillion total distributable revenue, the Federal Government received a total of N352.409 billion, the State Governments received N366.950 billion and the LGCs received N267.153 billion.

    “A total sum of N166.244 billion (13 per cent of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting states as derivation revenue.

    “From the N101.349 billion distributable statutory revenue, the Federal Government received N7.351 billion, the state governments received N3.729 billion and the LGCs received N2.875 billion.

    ”The sum of N87.394 billion (13 per cent of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting states as derivation revenue,” it said.

    It further said that the Federal Government received N64.321 billion, the state Governments received N214.403 billion, and the LGCs received N150.082 billion from the N428.806 billion distributable VAT revenue.

    According to the communique, the N15.157 billion EMTL was shared as follows:

    The Federal Government received N2.274 billion, the state governments received__ N7.578 billion and the LGCs received N5.305 billion.

    “The Federal Government received N278.463 billion from the N 607.444 billion Exchange Difference revenue.

    “The State Governments received N141.240 billion, and the LGCs received N108.891 billion. The sum of  N78.850 billion (13 per cent of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting States as derivation revenue,” it said.

    It said that Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT), Import Duty, Excise Duty, VAT and CET levies increased significantly; Oil and Gas Royalties increased marginally, while Company Income Tax (CIT) and EMTL recorded considerable decreases.

    “The balance in the ECA was 473.754 million dollars,” it said.

  • Revenue allocation: FG, States, LGCs share N 1.149 trillion [SEE BREAKDOWN]

    Revenue allocation: FG, States, LGCs share N 1.149 trillion [SEE BREAKDOWN]

    The Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), has shared the sum of N1.149 trillion revenue among the Federal Government, states and Local Government Councils (LGCs) for January.

    The revenue was shared at the February meeting of FAAC chaired by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Wale Edun.

    According to a communique issued by FAAC, the N1,149 trillion total distributable revenue comprised statutory revenue of N463.079 billion, and Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue of N391.787 billion

    It also comprised Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL) revenue of N15.922 billion and Exchange Difference revenue of N279.028 billion.

    “The total revenue of N2,068 trillion was available in the month of January 2024.

    According to the communique, the total deductions for cost of collection is N78.412 billion, total transfers, interventions and refunds is N639.926 billion and savings is N200.000 billion.

    The communique said the gross statutory revenue of N1,151 trillion was received for the month of January.

    ” This is higher than the sum of N875.382 billion received in the month of December 2023 by N276.426 billion,” the communique said.

    It said that the gross revenue available from VAT was N420.733 billion, which was lower than the N492.506 billion available in the month of December 2023 by N71.773 billion.

    The communique said that from the N1,149 trillion total distributable revenue, the Federal Government received N407.267 billion, the state governments received N379.407 billion and the LGCs received N278.041 billion.

    It said that the sum of N85.101 billion (13 per cent of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting states as derivation revenue.

    “From the N463.079 billion distributable statutory revenue, the Federal Government received N216.757 billion, the state governments received N109.942 billion and the LGCs received N84.761 billion.

    It said the sum of N51.619 billion (13 per cent of mineral revenue) was shared among the benefiting states as derivation revenue.

    It said that from the N391.787 VAT revenue, the Federal Government received N58.768 billion, the state governments received N195.894 billion and the LGCs received N137.125 billion.

    “The N15.922 billion EMTL has been shared as follows:

    “The Federal Government received N2.388 billion, the state governments received N7.961 billion and the LGCs received N5.573 billion.

    “The Federal Government received N129.354 billion from the N 279.028 billion Exchange Difference revenue, the state governments received N65.610 billion, and the LGCs received N50.582 billion.

    “The sum of N33.482 billion (13 per cent of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting states as derivation revenue,” it said.

    According to the communique, in the month of January, Companies Income Tax (CIT), Import Duty, Petroleum Profit Tax and Oil and Gas Royalties increased significantly, while VAT, Export Duty, EMTL and CET Levies decreased considerably.

    It said that the balance in the Excess Crude Account was 473.754 million dollars.

  • Where is N1.1 trillion FAAC allocation? – Workers query Tinubu

    Where is N1.1 trillion FAAC allocation? – Workers query Tinubu

    “We are aware that the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) shared N1.1 trillion amongst the three tiers of government, so why the delay,” workers under the aegis of Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) have queried.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the workers accused the President Bola Tinubu-led administration of being insensitive to their plights in reaction over recurrent delay in payment of their salaries, wage award and other emoluments.

    The Association specifically expressed discontent over the delays in payment of monthly salaries to civil servants.

    Speaking on Tuesday, Mr Tommy-Etim Okon, President of ASCSN urged the government to be prompt in payment of salaries and emoluments of workers.

    He said, since President Tinubu assumed office, the payments of monthly salaries and emoluments of workers have not been done on time, which he said have affected the productivity and well being of workers in the country.

    According to him, government should be sensitive to the plights of the workers, considering the economic hardship in the country.

    “Everyday the cost of living is skyrocketing, how will workers pay for their transportation to the office, how will the economy and other industries survive, if there is no exchange of money.

    “Today is the 7th of February, and I can categorically tell you that a lot of workers are yet to receive their salaries,” he said.

    Okon said, even the monthly wage award promised to federal government workers to cushion the effects of the fuel subsidy removal was not paid as of when due.

    “When we brokered and arrived at N35,000 wage award, government promised to pay for six months before the implementation of the new national minimum wage.

    “But as I speak, government had only paid for the months of September and October last year, this means that November, December, 2023 and even January 2023 are still outstanding.

    “Upon assumption of office, this administration promised to ensure that workers will be paid as of when due with good incentives but the reverse is the case.

    “If the government cannot pay N35,000 wage award in this situation, I wonder how they can convince us that they will keep to the promise of giving workers a living wage,’’ he said

    Okon, therefore, called on President Tinubu to be sensitive to workers’ plights and the masses in general, by expediting action on economic policies, beneficial to their well being

    Similarly, Mr Olorunsuyi Ademola, the Branch Chairman, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), National Mathematical Centre, said the government should show concern to workers on the high cost of living in the country.

    Ademola said the present administration should be sensitive to the plight of workers considering the effects of removal of fuel subsidy and the high exchange rate of naira to dollar, among others.

    “The economic policies, though desirable, have negatively impacted the standard of living of Nigerian worker.

    “It is unimaginable that with the sufferings brought about by these policies, the salary and emoluments of Nigerian worker’s are being delayed beyond expectations,” he said

    Ademola said that the 25 per cent salary increase approved by the government for the university sector that was supposed to take effect from January 2023 was yet to be implemented.

    He added that the withheld salary of the university workers that the government promised to release was also yet to be paid.

    Also, Mr Eric Haruna expressed disappointment over the activities of the present administration in the area of prompt response to salary payment since its inception, adding that the delay had negative effects on workers’ productivity.

    “You will agree with me that there has been an irregular payment of workers’ salaries in recent times.

    “The delay in payment has posed difficult situations to not only workers alone but other Nigerians, market women/men in particular, who make reasonable sales whenever workers receive their salaries,” he said.

    According to him, the civil servants are the engine room of any government and anything that goes wrong in the system will have spiral adverse effects on the administration.

    “Since this government came on board, it has never paid salary as and when due.

    “It will always cross to the following month before payments are made and this is affecting the entire system negatively,” he said.

    Mrs Grace Ezekiel, another civil servant, said she has been in great pain as she has not been able to pay her children’s school fees and other unavoidable bills.

    She said the present administration has not been fair to workers’ plight, considering the delay in payment of salaries and wage award to workers.

    “You can see the continued rise in the prices of goods and services in the market. Inflation is high, coming to work has not been so easy for workers,” she said.

    Another civil servant, Ibrahim Alli who spoke specifically on the February salary said the situation is no longer acceptable for the government to keep delaying salaries without explanation.

    “We are aware that the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) shared N1.1 trillion amongst the three tiers of government, so why the delay?’’ he queried.

    Also, Mrs Hauwa Sule condemned the idea of delaying the monthly salaries of some government workers while others will be paid.

    Responding to the accusation, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) said that many Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government have received their February salaries.

    Mr Bawa Mokwa, the Director of Press, OAGF, said the delay in payment of salaries of some MDAs is due to discrepancies in their 2024 budgets.

    Mokwa gave the assurance that most of the discrepancies had been reconciled. and the outstanding salaries should start dropping,” he said.

    Recall FAAC shared N1.13 trillion among the three tiers of government as revenue generated in December 2023.

    In a communiqué issued at the end of its January meeting, the Committee said the total figure shared represented an increase of N40 billion or 3.67 per cent compared to the N1.09 trillion shared for November 2023.

  • FG, States, FCT share N1.1trn in FAAC allocation in December 2023

    FG, States, FCT share N1.1trn in FAAC allocation in December 2023

    The Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) has shared N1.127 trillion December 2023 federal revenue among the Federal Government, states and Local Government Councils (LGCs).

    This is disclosed in a communique issued by the FAAC at its January meeting, chaired by the Accountant General of the Federation, Dr Oluwatoyin Madein.

    According to the communique, the N1.127 trillion total distributable revenue comprised distributable statutory revenue of N363.188 billion, distributable Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue of N458.622 billion, and Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL) revenue of N17.855 billion.

    It also comprised Exchange Difference revenue of N287.743 billion.

    “Total revenue of N1,674 billion was available in the month of December 2023. Total deduction for cost of collection was N62.254 billion; total transfers, interventions and refunds was N484.568 billion.

    “Gross statutory revenue of N875.382 billion was received. This was lower than the N882.56 billion received in the month of November 2023 by N 7.178 billion.

    “The gross revenue available from VAT was N492.506 billion. This was higher than the N360.455 billion available in the month of November 2023 by N132.051 billion,” it said.

    The communique also said that from the N1.127 trillion total distributable revenue, the federal government received N383.872 billion, the state governments received N396.693 billion and the LGCs received N288.928 billion.

    “A total sum of N57.915 billion (13 per cent of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting states as derivation revenue.

    “From the N363.188 billion distributable statutory revenue, the federal government received N173.729 billion, the state governments received N88.118 billion and the LGCs received N67.935 billion.

    “The sum of N33.406 billion (13 per cent of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting states as derivation revenue,” it said.

    “The federal government received N68.793 billion, the state governments received N229.311 billion and the LGCs received N160.518 billion from the N458.622 billion distributable VAT revenue.

    “From the N17.855 billion EMTL, the federal government received N2.678 billion, the state governments received N8.928 billion and the LGCs received N6.249 billion,” it said.

    It said that in the month of December 2023, Companies Income Tax (CIT), excise duty, Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT), VAT and EMTL increased significantly, while oil and gas royalties decreased substantially.

    “Import duty and CET levies decreased marginally. The balance in the ECA was 473.754 million dollars.

  • How FG, States, LGAs shared N1.08trn in November FAAC allocations

    How FG, States, LGAs shared N1.08trn in November FAAC allocations

    The Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) has shared N1.088.783 trillion November revenue to the Federal Government, States and Local Government Councils (LGCs).

    This is according to the communique issued by the FAAC at its meeting on Friday.

    The communique said that the distributable revenue comprised statutory revenue of N376.306 billion, Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue of N335.656 billion, Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL) revenue of N11.952 billion and Exchange Difference revenue of N364.869 billion.

    According to the communique, total revenue of N1.620 trillion was available in the month of November.

    “Total deductions for cost of collection was N60.960 billion; total transfers, interventions and refunds was N470.592 billion.

    “Gross statutory revenue of N882.560 billion was received for the month of November. This was higher than the N660.090 billion received in the month of October by N222.470 billion.

    “The gross revenue available from VAT in November was N360.455 billion. This was higher than the N347.343 billion available in October by N13.112 billion,” it said.

    The communique said that from the N1.088.783 trillion total distributable revenue, the Federal Government received N402.867 trillion, the state governments received N351.697 billion and the LGCs received N258.810 billion.

    “A total sum of N75.410 billion (13 per cent of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting States as derivation revenue.

    “From the N376.306 billion distributable statutory revenue, the Federal Government received N174.908 billion, the State governments received N88.716 billion and the LGCs received N68.396 billion.

    “The sum of N44.286 billion (13 per cent of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting States as derivation revenue,” it said.

    It said that the federal government received N50.348 billion, the state governments received N167. 828 billion and the LGCs received N117.480 billion from the N335.656 billion distributable VAT revenue.

    “The communique further said that from the N11.952 billion EMTL, the Federal Government received N1.793 billion, the State Governments received N5.976 billion and the LGCs received N4.183 billion.”

    It added that the federal government received N175.817 billion from the N364.869 billion exchange difference revenue, while the state governments received N89.177 billion, and the LGCs received N68.751 billion.

    “The sum of N31.124 billion (13 per cent of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting States as derivation revenue.

    “In the month of November, companies income tax, excise duty, petroleum profit tax, oil and gas royalties and VAT increased considerably, while CET levies, Import Duty and EMTL recorded decreases,” it said.

    It announced that the balance in the Excess Crude Account was 473.754 million dollars.

  • LG councils without elected officials to stop receiving allocations

    LG councils without elected officials to stop receiving allocations

    The Senate has passed a resolution urging the Federal Government to withhold statutory allocations of local government councils who are not democratically elected.

    This followed the adoption of a motion on “Urgent need to halt the erosion of democracy; the dissolution of elected councils in Benue, ”at plenary on Friday, sponsored by Sen. Abba Moro (PDP- Benue).

    Presenting the motion, Moro said that democratically elected local government councils had been dissolved by Benue Government which replaced them with caretaker committees.

    He said constituting caretaker committees was an aberration and alien to the 1999 Constitution.

    Moro said that it was the constitutional responsibility of every state to ensure the existence of local government councils by law.

    ‘’There are subsisting court rulings directing the governor, the House of Assembly, their agents, privies, among others from tampering with the tenure of the elected local councils,’’ he said.

    Contributing, Sen. Victor Umeh (LP-Anambra), said that Section seven of the Constitution guaranteed that there shall be democratically elected officials of local government councils in the country.

    He said that the emasculation of elected council officials and replacing them with caretaker committees was a violation of the Constitution.

    He said that the National Assembly must rise to protect the laws by defending the Constitution.

    Sen. Adams Oshoimole (APC-Edo) said that the Supreme Court had ruled that state governors had no power to dissolve elected local government councils.

    He urged the Senate to prevail on the Minister of Finance not to release statutory allocation to unelected local government councils in the country.

    Sen. Ali Ndume (APC-Borno) said the matter had to do with the Constitution, urging the dissolved councils to approach law courts for redress.

    The President of the Senate, Sen. Godswill Akpabio said dissolution of elected local government councils by state government was illegal.

    The Senate urged Gov. Hyacinth Alia of Benue to restore the elected local government councils in the in line with the Constitution.

  • Oborevwori identifies threats to ease of doing business in Nigeria

    Oborevwori identifies threats to ease of doing business in Nigeria

    Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, Monday, identified harsh and hostile operating environment, poor basic infrastructure, insecurity and policy flip flops as disincentive to both local and foreign investments in Nigeria.

    Governor Oborevwori also remarked that the nation’s tax to GDP ratio was low because of harsh operating business environment and called for the removal of institutional bottlenecks to the ease of doing business in the country.

    He stated this in his keynote address at the 2023 Federal Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) retreat with theme: “Creating a resilient economy through diversification of the nation’s reserve base” held at the Events Centre, Asaba, the Delta State capital.

    Represented by his Deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, Governor Oborevwori frowned at the non commital of the CBN to be responsive to the clarity and correctional demands made to it by FAAC, in relation to the management of the Federation Account.

    He also called on the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to quickly verify the data earlier submitted by the three tiers of government.

    According to the Governor, Nigeria’s tax to GDP ratio is comparatively low, about 10-12%, which makes the country vulnerable to disruptions in the global economy.

    “A strong, resilient, and competitive economy, requires a flourishing private sector. But there are problems. Structurally, the private sector is largely weak, unorganised, and challenged.

    “The operating environment is harsh and hostile to the ease of doing business. Poor basic infrastructure such as electricity, water, transportation, security, are strong disincentives to investments, local or foreign.

    “Also, frequent policy flip flops and an inefficient bureaucracy are anything but helpful to the ease of doing business in Nigeria,” he stated.

    While commending members of FAAC for their commitment and dedication to duty and for the correction of wrong computations and refunds to oil producing states of the Federation, the Governor added that much work still needs to be done on the payments of 13% derivation, since the coming into force of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

    “Since the implementation of the PIA, a lot of concerns have been raised by stakeholders of this sector in respect of the new roles of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) as it affects inflows of revenue into the Federation Account. It is my hope that this retreat will address these concerns and lay them to rest permanently.

    “Tax is the dividend of a thriving private sector. For us to reap the benefits, we need to, as a matter of exigency, remove the institutional bottlenecks that make the cost of doing business in Nigeria unbearably high.

    “It is only after we have done this that we can realistically expect to widen the tax base and diversify the economy. It is inevitable that where the cost of doing business is frustratingly high, tax evasion and tax avoidance will be pervasive.

    “In conclusion, it is my considered view that the issue of economic diversification must move beyond rhetoric.

    “Concrete, measurable steps need to be taken now to facilitate non-oil exports, expand the revenue base, and make economic diversification a reality.

    “Here in Delta State, for instance, we have created a Trade and Export Unit to drive the process. Let me also stress that in seeking to facilitate the growth of non-oil exports as canvassed, there is a compelling need to ensure that the oil and gas sector is consistently operating at its optimum,” Oborevwori said.

    Earlier in his welcome remark, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Chief Olawale Edun, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Special Duties, Federal Ministry of Finance, Mr. Okokon Ekanem, appreciated Governor Oborevwori and the Delta State Government for accepting to host the retreat.

    He said in six months of the Bola Tinubu administration, the nation had witnessed important reforms such as Petroleum subsidy removal, fiscal and monetary policy reforms aimed at removing multiple taxation, streamlining and simplifying tax administration as well as achieving single foreign exchange market.

    He said the reforms have gained commendations not only by experts in Nigeria but by the international development partners such as the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank among others.

    “We believe these reforms are what Nigerians need at this point and we are on course to achieving the objectives of these reforms.

    “The Federation Account is witnessing improved revenue inflows since the removal of subsidy from the average of N650 billion monthly to over N1 trillion in the last four months.

    “Government has long realised that Petroleum subsidy is unsustainable giving that erodes revenues that should have been used to fund viable expenditures that are critical to the well-being of the populace.

    “As we continue implement our policies, we will remain mindful of the needs and welfare of Nigerians.

    “We all know that achieving tax revenue to GDP target of 22 per cent and tax to GDP of 18 per cent by 2026 are part of the terminal objectives of this administration.

    “However in doing that, we appreciate the need not to overburden the tax payers by introducing so many new taxes. What is necessary to be done is to broaden the tax base, simplify and streamline tax administration for ease of collection,” Edun stated.

    The retreat is being attended by Commissioners of Finance, Accountants-General of States, NNPCL, Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Federal Inland Revenue Service, Customs and other revenue generation organs of government.

  • Federation account witnessing improved revenue inflow – Edun

    Federation account witnessing improved revenue inflow – Edun

    The Minister of Finance, Mr Wale Edun has said the Federation Account is witnessing improved revenue inflow since the removal of subsidy.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Edun to have said the federal government records an average of N650 million monthly to over N1 trillion in the last four months.

    The Minister stated this on Monday in Asaba at the opening ceremony of a four-day retreat organised for members of the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) .

    Edun, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Finance, Special Duties, Mr Okokon Udo, said the government had for long, realised that petroleum subsidy was not sustainable.

    According to him, subsidy regime eroded revenues that should had been available to fund viable expenditures that were critical to the well-being of the populace.

    The Minister said the present administration was mindful of the needs and welfare of Nigerians and assured that it would continue to implement peoples oriented policies..

    “’We all know that achieving tax revenue to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) target of 22 per cent and tax to GDP of 18 per cent by 2026 are parts of the cardinal objectives of this administration.

    ”However,  in doing that we appreciate the needs not to overburden the tax payers by introducing so many new taxes.

    ”What is necessary to be done is to broaden the tax base, simplify and streamline tax administration for ease of collection,” he said.

    Edun added “Among the prior activities of this government after coming into office, was the constitution of a Presidential Committee of Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforns.

    “The committee has submitted an interim report which is full of optimism’’.

    The minister also noted that the present administration was not oblivious of the untold hardship faced by Nigerians, following the removal of fuel  subsidy, and harmonisation of exchange rates.

    He reassured that all the sacrifices made by people would never be in vain.

    ”Government is bent on ensuring that the economy bounces back to normal as we continue to consolidate on recovery efforts with focusing on achieving inclusive economic growth and development,” he added.

    Edun said that President Bola Tinubu-led administration has so far put in place a well-structured palliative measures to cushion the economic consequences of the ongoing reforms.

    On the theme of theme of the Retreat, ”Creating a Resilient Economic through Diversification of the Nation’s Revenue”, the minister commended the choice, stressing that it was suitabl.

    Edun also noted that retreat clearly outlined the urgent need to diversify the nation’s economy.

    In an opening remark, Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta tasked the federal government to muster the political will by putting necessary policy and institutional framework in place to diversify the nation’s economy.

    The governor, represented by his Deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme said that there was no magic wand to diversify the nation’s economy from over dependence on revenue from crude oil unless concerted efforts were made in other key sectors.

    He noted that the diversification of the nation’s economy must go beyond mere rhetoric to concrete measurable steps by facilitating the non-oil exports such as agricultural products, manufactured goods and services as well as the expansion of the revenue base.

    Oborevwori affirmed that Delta was taking the lead to diversify its economy by creating a Trade and Export unit to drive the process in order to make economic diversification a reality.

    He noted that some schools of thought believed that the discovery of crude oil which led to the neglect of agriculture and other revenue yielding non-oil sectors of the economy was a curse.

    Oborevwori said the country had not properly managed its oil wealth adding that it was worrisome that the oil  sector contributed between five per cent and seven per cent  of the nation’s  GDP.

    He added that the  non-oil sector mostly agriculture, agribusiness, manufacturing  and small scale enterprises contributed 93 per cent to 95 per cent, yet the bulk of public revenue was from the oil and gas sector.

    ”Statistics have made it more exigent for the government to grow the non-oil sector to widen the revenue base, nwhile ensuring that maximum benefits were derived from the e oil industry,” he said.

    The governor commended FAAC committee for its commitment to duty by enhancing revenue accruals into the federation account.

    He urged the committee to look into the payment of 13 per cent derivation to oil producing states.

    Oborevwori challenged the committee to use the retreat to address the concerns raised by stakeholders in respect of the new roles of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited, among others by giving better understanding on their roles in the economic diversification of the country.

    Accountant Generals from the thirty six states and the FCT as well as other stakeholders such as the Customs are attending the retreat.

  • Disability-Friendly Airports: FAAN pledges improvement on facilities

    Disability-Friendly Airports: FAAN pledges improvement on facilities

    The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, says it will improve access for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) at the nation’s airports and work with airline operators to upgrade amenities needed for air travel nationwide.

    FAAN’s assurances came during an anti-corruption radio programme, PUBLIC CONSCIENCE, produced by the Progressive Impact Organisation for Community Development, PRIMORG, on Wednesday in Abuja.

    A recent investigative report by TheCable exposed that people with disabilities are still having harrowing experiences at Nigerian airports as accessibility to facilities remains poor despite the inclusivity law.

    Speaking during the programme, Head of Department, Public Affairs, FAAN, Alex Okosun, said the government establishment is not oblivious of the plight of persons with disabilities at Nigerian airports, which ranges from difficulties with accessing facilities, lack of aircraft carriers for people on wheelchairs, less-visible signage, among other issues.

    Okosun, however, pledged that FAAN will look into all the challenges of persons with disabilities at Nigerian airports to improve service delivery.

    “We (FAAN) listen to complaints, and we try to do our best to improve our facilities. We have a lot of people with special needs who come to the airport and engage our management.
    “We listen to complaints of persons with disabilities, and we will try to do our best. We always try to improve our facilities. I promise that when we get back to the office, we are going to do a total report and make sure we pursue it to a logical conclusion. “

    He added that FAAN will work with airline operators to ensure they upgrade their aircraft carriers to easily lift passengers on wheelchairs. He also revealed that FAAN is currently having projects to improve amenities at airports across the country but is constrained by government policies and bureaucracy.

    Similarly, Deputy General Manager of Customer Care at FAAN, Zuwaira Yahaya-Joe, stated that the PWD community is highly prioritized and working assiduously to improve facilities to suit air travellers with disabilities.

    Yahaya-Joe assured that FAAN will “act on challenges of PWDs at airports across the nation and will ensure signage for PWDs at airports are made more conspicuous. She also urged Nigerians to take advantage of airport disability desks and report their challenges to customer care desks regularly.

    “We have special passages for PWDs. We have a passage they can go through to the airport and board their aircraft, and concerning signage for people with special needs, we will make them more conspicuous and make sure we improve so that people are able to know where and where to go to,” Yahaya-Joe stated.

    Earlier on the programme, The Executive Director of the Center for Citizens with Disabilities, CCD, David Anyaele, called on FAAN to conduct accessibility audits at airports nationwide to understand the difficulties PWDs are grappling with.

    Anyaele lamented that PWDs continue to face discriminatory attitudes from airport staffers, poor access to facilities, inadequate information and other issues.

    “I advise that FAAN conducts accessibility audits for people with disabilities using Nigerian airports. We’ve done our part by sharing with you, taking time to conduct a survey to audit regarding disabilities access to airports”.

    He noted that “when people with disabilities want to use the airports, they struggle much more than people without disability, during this period.

    “Key among the problems of PWDs are information dissemination and access to aircraft, which remains a nightmare to physically challenged persons. There is no mobile lift, which is available in other countries where if you want to board if you are a person on weight or crotches, they will use the mobile elevator, “Anyaele said.

    He commended PRIMORG for bringing the challenges of persons with disabilities at airports to public knowledge.

    Public Conscience is a syndicated weekly anti-corruption radio program PRIMORG uses to draw government and citizens’ attention to corruption and integrity issues in Nigeria.
    The program has the support of the MacArthur Foundation.