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NO PART OF TAX REFORM BILLS RECOMMENDS SCRAPPING TETFUND, NASENI, AND NITDA…NO PROVISION WILL IMPOVERISH THE NORTH

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STATE HOUSE PRESS STATEMENT

NO PART OF TAX REFORM BILLS RECOMMENDS SCRAPPING TETFUND, NASENI, AND NITDA…NO PROVISION WILL IMPOVERISH THE NORTH

By: Bayo Onanuga

Since the public debate around the transformative tax bills before the National Assembly began in the last few weeks, various political actors and commentators have tried to obfuscate the facts, deliberately misinforming and misleading the public.

Unfortunately, most reactions are not grounded in facts, reality, or sufficient knowledge of the bills. While some commentators have attempted to incite the people against lawmakers, others have polarized one section of the country against another.

The tax reform bills will not make Lagos or Rivers more affluent and other parts of the country, as recklessly canvassed, poorer. The bills will not destroy the economy of any section of the country. Instead, they aim to enhance the quality of life for Nigerians, especially the disadvantaged, who are trying to make a living.

Contrary to the lies being peddled, the bills do not suggest that NASENI, TETFUND, and NITDA will cease to exist in 2029 after the passage of the bills.

Government agencies, such as NASENI, TETFUND, and NITDA, are funded through budgetary provisions with company income tax and other taxes paid by the same businesses that are being overburdened with the special taxes.

One reason President Bola Tinubu embarked on the Tax and Fiscal Policy Reforms is the need to streamline tax administration in Nigeria and make the operating environment conducive for businesses.

For decades, businesses, investors, and private sector players in Nigeria have complained of being overburdened by a myriad of taxes and levies, including those earmarked to fund various government agencies and initiatives.

The multiple taxes complicate the economic environment, making Nigeria uncompetitive for investment and preventing many businesses from growing or continuing their operations. Some companies have had to make the rational decision to relocate to other countries. We can not continue on this path or wait for 20 years if this country is to deliver the prosperity we need for our people.

The proposal, as contained in section 59(3) of the Nigeria Tax Bill, only seeks to consolidate some of the earmarked taxes imposed on companies and replace them with a single tax to be shared with the key agencies as beneficiaries in a phased manner until 2030.

The time frame offers ample opportunity for the affected agencies to explore other funding sources in addition to budgetary allocations in line with the constitution and international best practices.

It is a misrepresentation of facts to conclude that changing an agency’s funding source amounts to scrapping it. None of the countries leading globally in education, science, engineering, or information technology have similar earmarked taxes.

The government imposes major taxes, be it income tax, consumption tax, or other taxes, to channel resources to its areas of priority at the time. Imposing a separate tax to fund an agency is an aberration that has yet to yield results despite the huge burden on businesses. The tax bill seeks to address this problem.

Relevant stakeholders and public analysts owe it a duty to properly educate themselves about the bills’ contents and avoid misleading the public for any reason. We may be entitled to our opinions, but such views must be informed and based on facts, not emotions targeted at inflaming passions.

In a period like this, when our people across the country look up to leaders for guidance and direction on matters of public importance, such as the Tax Reform Bills, leaders should be more measured in their public utterances to avoid heating the polity and polarising the country unduly.

President Tinubu welcomes the public interest these bills have generated. He encourages leaders across the country, including Governors, Traditional rulers, Civil Society Activists, Students, trade associations, professional associations, and the general public, to take advantage of the Public Hearings that the National Assembly will organise to present their views on how best to reform our taxes and fiscal regime.

What is never in doubt is the imperative of changing the existing tax laws and administration that have become obsolete and unhelpful in achieving the growth and development we desire for our country.

NO PART OF TAX REFORM BILLS RECOMMENDS SCRAPPING TETFUND, NASENI, AND NITDA…NO PROVISION WILL IMPOVERISH THE NORTH

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Security forces bust child trafficking syndicate in akwa ibom, arrest five

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Security forces bust child trafficking syndicate in akwa ibom, arrest five

By: Zagazola Makama

Security forces in Akwa Ibom have arrested five suspected members of a child trafficking syndicate along the Ikot Ekpene–Aba highway.

Zagazola Makama learnt from sources that detectives attached to the Criminal Surveillance Unit (CSU), while on stop-and-search duty on Aug. 28, intercepted an 18-seater Toyota Hiace bus belonging to Uwakmfom Transportation Company.

According to the sources , one of the passengers, identified as Precious Emmanuel Bassey, was found with a two-year-old girl, Glory Edet Etim, but could not give a satisfactory account of the child.

“She was immediately arrested and, upon interrogation, confessed that she was taking the child to Lagos for trafficking. She also admitted to having earlier sold another child,” said the sources.

The sources added that based on her confession, four other suspects Godspower Edet, Esther Effiong Edet, Mandu Asuquo Sampson and Eli Adolphus were arrested.

Sources said discreet investigation was ongoing to track down other members of the syndicate and recover previously trafficked children.

Security forces bust child trafficking syndicate in akwa ibom, arrest five

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Army launches operation to rescue abducted farmers in Edo

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Army launches operation to rescue abducted farmers in Edo

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of the Nigerian Army have launched a joint operation with local vigilantes to rescue two persons abducted on a farm in Amedokhian community, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the victims, identified as Mr. Clifford Isolate and an unidentified woman, were kidnapped on the morning of Aug. 29 while working on a farm in Ukoni Amedokhian.

He said the army immediately mobilised troops to the area in coordination with local vigilantes and the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of Esan youths to secure the release of the victims.

“Our troops were deployed promptly to track and apprehend the abductors while ensuring the safety of the victims.

The sources said the operation is ongoing, and all necessary measures are being taken to ensure a successful rescue.

Army launches operation to rescue abducted farmers in Edo

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Police recover 64 rustled cattle, arrest 11 suspects in Niger

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Police recover 64 rustled cattle, arrest 11 suspects in Niger

By: Zagazola Makama

The Police Command in Niger has recovered 64 rustled cattle and arrested 11 suspects during two separate operations along the Jebba–Mokwa road.

Sources said that the first operation was carried out on Aug. 27 at about 4:30 a.m. by a team of police operatives led by the Divisional Crime Officer (DCO).

According to sources, the operatives intercepted 48 cattle loaded in two trucks, 23 in one and 25 in the other, suspected to have been rustled from Bena town in Danko Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

Sources said nine suspects were arrested in connection with the intercepted trucks.

The sources added that in a similar operation on Aug. 28 at about 2:30 a.m., another vehicle conveying 16 cattle was intercepted by the same team of policemen from Jebba Division.

The said two additional suspects were arrested, bringing the total number of suspects to 11 and the recovered cattle to 64.

The sources assured that investigation was ongoing to track down the syndicate behind the rustling and ensure the cattle were returned to their rightful owners.

Police recover 64 rustled cattle, arrest 11 suspects in Niger

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