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Senate Rejects FIRS N143bn Budget …Halts Works On Sovereign Wealth Act
The Senate, yesterday, rejected the report by the Committee on Finance in which the N143.7billion budget of the Federal Inland Revenue Service was approved.
The lawmakers, while debating the recommendation of the committee during the day’s plenary, criticised the report as lacking details.
While some senators who spoke on the report said it was fraught with ambiguities, others cited duplication of projects in the proposed budget.
The President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, who presided over the plenary, asked the committee to work on the grey areas in its report and re-present it in one week.
On the proposed 2016 budget of the FIRS, the report said, “The Federal Inland Revenue Service projected to collect tax revenues to the tune of N4.082trillion in 2016.
“This comprises of N484billion oil and N3.597trillion non-oil revenues. The projected four per cent Cost of Collection on non-oil revenue is N143,904,640,000.
“The total projected available fund for the 2016 budget is N146,165,108,293, comprising of four per cent Cost of Collection and N2,260,468,293 or 20 per cent of 2015 operating surplus.”
The Chairman, Senate Committee on Finance, Senator John Enoh, while presenting the report to the chamber, recalled that the Senate on July 21, 2016, considered the request of President Muhammadu Buhari on the 2016 budget of the FIRS and referred same to the committee for further legislative action.
On the performance of the 2015 budget of the FIRS, the report said National Assembly’s joint Committees on Finance approved a revenue projection of N436trillion, comprising of N1.74trillion oil revenue and N262trillion non-oil revenue.
The joint committee also projected the four per cent Cost of Collection of non-oil revenue by the FIRS to be N104,723,880,000.
The committee stated the summary of the proposed 2016 expenditure of the service as follows: personnel, N64,491,130,526; overhead, N46,363,000,000; and capital, N32,868,300,000, bringing the total expenditure to N143,722,430,526.
The committee, according to the report, observed that the projected non-oil revenue collection had increased from the 2015 collection, thereby increasing the four per cent Cost of Collection to the service to N143,904,640,000bn from N104,723,880,000 in 2015.
The committee further observed that, “The total personnel costs are for salaries, wages, allowances, performance bonuses and social contributions. The 8,000 (members of) staff are proposed to be on the payroll during the 2016 financial year, which accounts for the increase of 19 per cent above actual staff strength of 6,748.
The projection presumes a recruitment of new staff in 2016.
It further observed that, “The overhead cost is very vital in driving the achievement of FIRS’ core objectives of tax revenue generation.
“The provisions in 2016 budget give more emphasis on availability of office materials, training, consulting and professional services and publicity.”
The committee added that, “The capital cost estimates proposed includes ongoing projects, which are to be completed during the 2016 financial year, as well as new projects to be carried out.
“These projects include new corporate headquarters and other prototype offices, construction of new offices nationwide and ICT projects.”
The committee, therefore, recommended that a total expenditure of N143,722,430,526 be approved for the FIRS in 2016, which the Senate rejected.
Meanwhile, the shadow of the past that prevented Nigeria from investing in the Sovereign Wealth Fund during the good days of Nigerian crude sale has again resurfaced as the Senate, yesterday, suspended the consideration of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (Establishment) Act 2011 (Amendment) Bill, following protests by some senators who insisted that further legislative action on the bill would be prejudicial since state governors are already contesting in court, the legality of deducting funds from the federation account by the Federal Government through the agency.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, Senator John Eno, at plenary presented the report of the bill seeking to amend the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), for debate but just before commencement of debate, the Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio, described any legislation on the bill as illegal, as he pointed out that there is need to await the judgment of the court on the matter.
Akpabio admitted, however, that it is proper for Nigeria to save for the rainy day, but insisted that there is need to strengthen the relevant laws relating to the agency to forestall possible abuse in the management of the agency.
According both him, the major reason why the governors had opposed the policy during the time of former President Goodluck Jonathan was because they wanted the major stakeholders to be involved in the regulation and administration of the agency.
According to him, since the funds will have a commencing seed of one billion dollars, to be deducted from the federation account, which constitutionally belong jointly to the local, states and federal governments, it is proper to have them well represented in the agency and its board.
Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, in his contribution noted that there is need to save for the scarce moments but emphasised that it is unconstitutional to consider and pass the report on the bill without first adjusting the Constitution to accommodate the controversial sections of the bill.
He, therefore, advice that the Senate to suspend the consideration of the bill until the Constitution Review Committee amends the Constitution in line with those sections that are unconstitutional in it.
President of the Senate, Senator Saraki, trying to save the bill and to ensure its passage, however advocated that only sections (10) of the bill be stepped down since it is the only section that is not in line with the Constitution.
He said the Senate Committee on Constitution Review, headed by the Deputy Senate President, can address the constitutional issues raised by some lawmakers while reviewing the constitution, before the bill will be passed eventually into law.
According to Saraki, since there is a unanimous agreement among the lawmakers that Nigeria should save for the future, the Senate should go ahead to consider the report.
However, mid into the consideration of the report, the controversial section 10 came up again, seeking to allocate $1billion from the federation account to the NSIA, and became a road block for the debate as it would only be prejudicial to debate on an issue in court already.
At that point, the debate was suspended and the bill withdrawn.
It would be recalled that the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (Establishment) Act 2011 (Amendment) Bill, seeking to save ( Sovereign Wealth Fund) for the rainy day during the hay days of oil price through cuts from the federation account (local , states and federal governments) but was vehemently opposed by state governors, especially governors of the opposition party.
Nneka Amaechi-Nnadi, Abuja
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Arson: Those Behind It’ll Account For Atrocities -Fubara …Swears In Bipi, Three Others As Commissioners
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that his administration will not fold its hands and watch sponsored political thugs run berserk, committing arson in the State.
The Governor, therefore, assured that, working with the Nigerian Police Force and the Directorate of State Services (DSS), measures will be taken to unravel those behind the recent burning of council Secretariats at Ikwerre, Emohua and Eleme Local Government areas, with a view to making them account for their atrocities.
Governor Fubara gave the assurance while swearing in four new commissioners into the Rivers State Executive Council at Government House in Port Harcourt yestersday.
Those sworn in are Hon. Israel Lebura Ngbuelu, PhD; Hon. Evans Bapakaye Bipi; Barrister Otamiri John Ngubo; and Hon. Barrister Benibo Anabraba.
Governor Fubara recalled mentioning when he sworn-in newly elected Local Government Councils’ Chairmen on 6th October, 2024, that there was intelligence on planned mayhem by misguided persons, who had threatened to prevent the elected officers from resuming duties.
True to it, Governor Fubara said, the sponsored political thugs hatched their plans, and burnt valued buildings at some council secretariats.
He said, “I said it before it happened. I knew because they were unhappy, they would go extra miles to create disaffection in the minds and hearts of the good people of Rivers State.
“We want to also let the people know that what has happened (arson) after the election, we are not going to allow it to go uninvestigated.
“A similar event had happened in this manner before, and after some weeks, some of our supporters were declared wanted in order to turn the story around.
“But this time around, I strongly believe, with the support and cooperation of the Nigerian Police and the Directorate of State Services (DSS), we will unravel those behind the assault and make sure that they account for their atrocities.”
Governor Fubara expressed appreciation for the show of patience and calmness by majority of Rivers people despite the fact that they are angry with the reckless acts of the misguided miscreants.
The Governor said he has continued to show leadership, provided the climate that has engendered productive endeavours, and will not mislead those he is leading.
“As your leader; the one steering the ship, I assure you I will not mislead anyone of you. I still stand on the path of peace. We have cases of arson in some local government areas.
“But, I appreciate your calmness. I have always maintained that we are going to be the greatest losers, if we meet them force-for-force. We need to go with peace.
“So, I will encourage everyone of you not to follow them with violence. We are carrying a basket of precious eggs in our hands. So, we need to follow them with carefulness and wisdom.”
Governor Fubara reiterated what he said the previous day on what should matter most for Rivers State, which is a firm support to ensure that the progress of Nigeria is sustained.
He said, if oil theft is not checked, the country’s economy will be badly impacted, and there will not be funds to address critical issues.
“We are in a situation where the fund that is being generated from oil production is not sufficient to tackle the challenges of Nigeria, and every hand has to be on deck to make sure that there is increase in production.
“Our focus here, not minding the distractions, will be how to provide support. You have to work with us to make sure that we curb this issue of oil theft and pipeline vandalisation.
“This is the only way that the allowances (revenue) will increase and more will also come to our State, and more progress will also be achieved in this State.”
Governor Fubara explained that his administration is doing a lot for the good people of the State, that are not being seen because of the political drama that takes their attention away.
He, however, said that his administration is working out modalities, and will soon choose a day, which could probably be before the end of October, 2024, to showcase a few projects and services that have positively impacted lives in the State.
Governor Fubara congratulated the newly sworn-in commissioners for making it into the Rivers State Executive Council.
He explained that more persons whose loyalty are for Rivers people and the administration needed to be admitted into the Rivers State Executive Council to help drive the policy of government because they will not resign their appointment.
Governor Fubara said: “We want to be sure, at this point, who we are adding into the Council, so that we will not wake up one morning and see resignation letter. So, we are taking our time.
“And usually, after a normal political period, there used to be what we call balancing. So, I can also say that the new Commissioners that are coming in are coming from their zones to also balance the political equation.”
Governor Fubara charged them to be dedicated, forthright, diligent and productive while rendering quality services to the State.
The Governor said he believed in their capacity to deliver because of their exposure to the workings of government, and expressed the hope that they will contribute positively to the success of the administration.
He said, “So, let me thank everyone of you. Let me also use this opportunity to thank the good people of Rivers State for their support, and to assure them that we will continue to defend, protect the interest of Rivers people.
“I want to thank everyone of you for your support, more especially before, during and after the elections. I appreciate your doggedness, your belief in our course to salvage this State, to protect the integrity of this State,” he added.
Head of Civil Service of the Federation (HoCSF), Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, has sought media support to fast-track the implementation of the ongoing reforms in the civil service sector.
Walson-Jack made the request during a cocktail organised by her office for media executives from different organisations in Abuja.
The event, according to her, aimed at interacting with the media men one-on-one, appreciate them and implore them to continue to strengthen the bond with the office.
“I want to start by thanking each and everyone of you for honouring this invitation. I want to say that we purposely designed this grail cocktail so that we can have one-on-one interactions.
“Let me also go ahead to thank you for all the supports you have given to the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF) in the years past I know that the Fourth Estate of the realm has always supported this office.
“I will also go ahead to thank you for your support, especially at my announcement as the HoCSF and that support has continued, up till date.
“We, therefore, thought it fit that we should organise this event just to interact with you to strengthen the bond that this office has with the media, “ she said.
The HoCSF recalled that her office had continued with programmes she met on ground upon assumption of office, especially the ongoing reforms on Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP- 2022 to 2025).
She, therefore, appealed to the media for continuous reportage on the initiative, so as to give it the necessary publicity for proper dissemination to the citizens.
“You will recall that the office has the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP- 2022 to 2025) and that is the plan that we are still driving.
“We want to request that you collaborate more with us, we are asking that the friendship, the partnership go beyond what it is now to ensure that the reforms which this office is driving get the full publicity it requires,” she said.
Walson-Jack used the medium to announce the preparation to re-introduce the civil service national anthem officially for the entire civil servants to recite at every national programme.
“The anthem has been re-introduced to drive the reforms and it’s expected that the anthem will be sung by all federal civil/public servants and indeed Nigerians.
“And it will be an anthem that will encourage every public servants to be efficient, productive, incorruptible and citizen-centred, “ she added.
Participants at the event congratulated Mrs Walson-Jack for her uplifting to the position of the HoCSF and pledged to continue in the relationship.
In a response, Mr Ephraims Sheyin, Editor-in-Chief, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), pledged the agency’s readiness to give the HoCSF the needed support.
According to him, supporting government policies has always been NAN’ priority as government’s owned media organisation.
“You can take it for granted that we are going to give the Office total support. It is part of our own mandates to support Federal Government policies, so we are going to do that fully for the head of service.
“As she said, she has her policies which are in tandem with the federal government policies, she is asking for the support in implementation of the Federal Government policies.
“She has very lofty ideas, she has lofty things that she believes that we should do. Our job is to make sure that whatever government wants to do, we have to support such policies, “ he said.
Speaking in the same vein, Mrs Halima Musa, Director News, NTA, assured her office’s partnership with the Head of service towards ensuring communicating the needed values on excellence, incorruptibility and new culture of efficiency to the public.
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LG Polls: Rogue Policemen Break RSIEC Gate, Strong Room To Steal Electoral Materials …Fubara Foils Attempt To Cart Away Materials
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara has foiled an attempt by the Nigerian Police, led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), to take over the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) at 1am on Friday, 4th October, 2024.
The rogue policemen were said to have attempted to scale through the gates and strong room of the Commission to cart away sensitive Electoral materials meant for the conduct of Saturday’s local government election in the State.
The deployment was said to have been ordered by the Inspector-General of Police.
However, the evil plots of the rogue policemen and DC Ops were botched when vigilant security officials alerted principal officers of the Commission and relevant government authorities, who immediately informed the Governor of the development.
The Governor immediately led a team of government officials, lawmakers from the National Assembly and State House of Assembly, top political stakeholders, and other leaders to storm the facility.
Addressing newsmen in front of RSIEC Office on Aba Road in Port Harcourt, after an encounter with the rogue policemen, the State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara condemned the conduct of the policemen on illegal duty, saying that the IGP was taking his friendship with some Abuja-based politicians too far.
He restated the position that the attempt to surreptitiously withdraw policemen already deployed to protect the facility, and replace them with a detachment from a neighbouring State was unacceptable.
He reminded the IGP that local government election was the internal affairs of states, and advised him to allow the federation unit conduct its affairs without interference.
At present, the Chief of Staff, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, and State and National Assembly members, alongside other stakeholders, are manning the RSIEC office to ensure that the rogur policemen in two trucks and two Hilux vehicles do not return and that elections will go ahead as scheduled on Saturday.
