News
NUPENG Gives Panacea To Fuel Scarcity
The Nigeria Immigrations Service (NIS), has generated N10.2 billion from its services to the public in 2011.
The services include issuance of passports, re-entry visas, re-entry permits, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) residence cards and ECOWAS travel certificates, among others.
The Assistant-Comptroller of the Service, Mr. Joachim Olumba, disclosed this at a press briefing last Thursday in Abuja in reaction to media reports that the NIS was not remitting the exact revenue generated to government.
Olumba, who described the reports as “erroneous and misleading,’’ said that out of the amount, N7.2 billion went to technical partners and service providers, while approximately N3 billion was remitted to government coffers.
“The media reports under reference here emanated from a recent submission of the Comptroller General of Immigration Service, Mrs Rose Uzoma, to the National Assembly Joint Committee on Interior during the 2012 Fiscal Budget Defence.
“The reports contain some obvious misrepresentation and misinterpretation, hence, it is imperative to set the records straight,” Olumba said.
He said that the total number of 773, 642 standard e-passports and 3,580 official e-passports were paid for at the local unit price of N8, 750 and N4, 500, respectively.
“It is quite pertinent to remark here that the unit cost of e-passport ranges from N4,900 to N5,191 (which varies due to element of foreign costs taking cognisance of the volatility in foreign exchange rate), excluding the technology fee of N1,250 deducted from each e-passport sold,’’ he said.
The spokesman said that the technology fee was the amount shared among partners and the NIS.
He said that the revenue generated by NIS in local currency, most of which were earned from issuance of e-passports were duly appropriated as the management complied fully with the relevant financial regulations and all agreements.
Olumba said that NIS deserved commendation for not only running an efficient process, but for generating and remitting substantial revenue to Federal Government coffers, “without any budgetary commitment by government.’’
He noted that government was in no way being shortchanged, but was rather enjoying a process that did not impose any liability on it.
Commenting on the current face-off between Nigeria and South Africa, Olumba said that what was happening was not a “big deal” as immigrations had also repatriated 10,797 foreigners, including South Africans for various reasons between January and February.
He said there was, therefore, no retaliatory action by the service for now because of the face-off.
Shedie Okpara
The Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with the Rivers State Government has empowered 500 elderly citizens in Rivers State with financial support of N200,000 each.
The empowerment programme was part of activities to celebrate the third anniversary of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme RHIESS, a social investment policy initiated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, recently, under the theme, ‘Finding Joy in Old Age,’ Senator Tinubu said the gesture which has become traditional since 2023 was a mark of gratitude in recognition of the invaluable contributions of the senior citizens to nation building.
The First Lady who was represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Lady Valerie Fubara, said the scheme was to “support two hundred and fifty (250) vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) totalling 9,500 selected beneficiaries across the nation.
She urged the beneficiaries to engage in activities that will make them find joy in old age.
“I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active, nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement,” Senator Tinubu advised.
On her part, Lady Fubara said the State Government through the magnanimity of the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has increased the beneficiaries of the programme from 250 to 500.
She restated the commitment of the State Government towards provision of social welfare and improving the standard of living of the elderly in the State.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr Vetty Agala, said the State Government has through the Health4allrivers Initiative, introduced free medical care for senior citizens in the State, in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to expedite the prosecution of the Director of the now distressed MBA Forex Trading, Mr. Maxwell Odum, in the interest of justice.
The Rivers State NUJ made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the EFFC’s Ag. Zonal Director, ACE Hassan Saidu, in Port Harcourt, recently.
The council’s chairman, Comrade Paul Bazia, said the appeal became imperative after it considered the number of Nigerians and others involved in the financial misconduct.
According to him, it has caused hardship among many households in the country and should be given the attention it deserves.
He said that investors cannot come into a country or invest in an economy or nation ridden with fraud.
This, he said, has made it more imperative to arrest, prosecute and convict alleged fraudsters like the MBA Forex Director, who is alleged to have defrauded thousands of unsuspecting Nigerians, to serve as a deterrent to others.
The chairman also requested that while the trial lasts, part of the swindled funds should be given to the victims that suffered loss and trauma as a result of the fraud.
The NUJ reiterated its resolve to change the narrative of reportage from crisis to developmental communication.
According to him, the NUJ’s main focus is blue economy and tourism.
He expressed the readiness of the Council to partner the agency in the area of information dissemination.
“We believe you have a responsibility to fight financial crimes. We also know that you need the Press to publicize your activities and NUJ can provide that,” he said.
Responding, the Zonal EFFC’s boss commended the NUJ’s vision to change the narrative of reporting from crisis to developmental communication.
According to Saidu, the Western world have since imbibed such culture, hence the negative stories about them are carefully sifted to allow only positive ones to be released to the outside world.
As for the trapped funds to be released, the EFCC Zonal Director stated that only the court can authorize such action, stressing that the primary responsibility of the Commission is to arrest and prosecute.
He pledged to partner with the NUJ now that the leadership has visited the Commission.
The Head of the Legal & Prosecution Department, DCE Odiase Stephen, corroborated the Zonal Director’s position and stressed that it was only when the matter has been determined by the court that such funds can be released.
He further stated that once a matter is before a court of competent jurisdiction, it cannot be discussed outside.
By: King Onunwor
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