Politics
… Tasks MDAs On IGR
The Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Economic Planning and Budget yesterday urged heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to meet their required Internally-Generated Revenue targets for 2017.
The chairman of the committee, Mr Rotimi Olowo, who gave this advice in an interview with newsmen in Lagos, said that such step would help the government fulfil its promises to people.
According to him, availability of funds remains imperative if the government is to achieve all its set goals and plans for the state.
He said, “The message we want to pass to them (MDAs) is that many of them don’t meet the required targets and this does not help.
“We have cut the target of some and increased the target of some of them because what we discovered was that many of them could do better.
“We increased the target of the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) from N20.1 billion to N30 billion this year.
“We discovered that they needed capacity and tools to perform, so we also increased their subvention to over N200 million. If at the end of the day, they don’t perform, we will cut it off.
“We are also treating some others like that; we want them to operate like the private sector so that they can meet their target.
“The only way the state can move forward is increased revenue. We need money for development and for a lot of things.
“We need a lot of money for the environment; any government agency that is not for public or social order must generate money for the government.”
He said the state does not expect money from the Ministry of Health or that of the Environment because they are for public and social order.
The chairman said the revenue target for LIRS in 2017 did not presuppose over taxation or unnecessary pressure on the people and organisations.
“The interest of the people of Lagos State is paramount to us, but really how many people are in the tax net of the state?
“We have less than 30 per cent of them in the net, so we still have 70 per cent that are not yet captured in the net.
“We will not over-tax anybody. We have over 20 million people in Lagos State,” he said.
Olowo advised both residents and MDAs to support the government in its commitment to move the state higher, stressing that the government was passionate about transforming it into a mega city.
The Assembly, on January 3, passed the state’s 2017 Appropriation Bill of N812.998 billion.
It is awaiting the governor’s assent.
The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has strongly rejected calls by the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria seeking the removal of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, over comments he allegedly made on genocide.
The Fellowship described the demand as unjustified and a threat to constitutional freedoms.
In a statement signed by its National Secretary, Bishop David Bakare, the PFN insisted that Prof Amupitan, like every Nigerian, has the constitutional right to express his views on matters of national concern, irrespective of the public office he occupies.
According to the PFN, the comments attributed to the INEC Chairman were made in his personal capacity and had no link whatsoever with his official responsibilities or electoral duties.
The Fellowship stressed that elections and electoral activities were not involved in the matter, arguing that there was no basis to connect the alleged comments to Prof Amupitan’s role as INEC Chairman.
“We strongly oppose such calls because Prof. Amupitan, as a Nigerian, has the right to make comments on what he observes to be happening in the nation, regardless of his appointment or assignment,” the statement read.
The PFN said it condemned “in every ramification” the suggestion that the INEC Chairman should be removed from office on the basis of his personal views, warning against attempts to punish public officials for expressing opinions outside the scope of their official duties.
The Tide source reports that the Fellowship also cautioned against what it described as a growing tendency to interpret national issues through religious lenses, noting that such an approach only deepens divisions and undermines peaceful coexistence.
“We must resist the temptation of profiling or judging people based on their religious beliefs or positions. Prof. Amupitan has a right to bear his mind, and this should not be at the cost of his job,” the PFN added.
The PFN called on all stakeholders to exercise restraint, understanding and mutual respect in national discourse, particularly on sensitive issues.
It emphasised that unity and peace must remain paramount in addressing national challenges.
The Fellowship reaffirmed its commitment to fairness, justice and mutual respect, urging that these values guide public engagement and responses to issues affecting the country.
The Special Adviser on Political Affairs to the Rivers State Governor, Dr. Darlington Oji, has disclosed that about 15 Special Advisers to the governor were duly approved by the Rivers State House of Assembly before the current political crisis in the State.
Oji made the disclosure in a Television programme in Port Harcourt, recently, while reacting to issues surrounding appointments, the impeachment moves against the governor and his deputy, and allegations of financial mismanagement.
He clarified that the appointment of Special Advisers was carried out in strict compliance with constitutional provisions, and received the approval of the Rivers State House of Assembly under the leadership of the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, before the crisis began.
According to the Special Adviser, the appointments did not require any further screening, countering claims that the governor violated due process in constituting his advisory team.
On the impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, Oji described the process as unfounded and lacking constitutional backing.
He said that several lawmakers who initially supported the impeachment move were now reconsidering their stance after discovering that the process had no legal basis.
Oji also attributed the impeachment plot to personal and political ambitions, saying it is not motivated by the interest or welfare of the people of Rivers State.
Speaking on the financial position of the State after the Emergency Rule, the Special Adviser disclosed that the governor met about ?600 billion in the state’s coffers upon assumption of office.
He explained that the availability of funds enabled the administration to continue governance smoothly without the need for a supplementary budget.
The governor’s aide also refuted allegations of financial mismanagement against the governor, and stressed that all allocations to lawmakers and constituency projects were transparently handled.
He maintained that the Fubara administration remained focused on development, stability, and good governance despite the political distractions in the State.
Oji expressed confidence that the impeachment moves would eventually be abandoned as legislators and the public become more informed, adding that the governor’s leadership has continued to reassure citizens and sustain political stability in the State.
King Onunwor
-
Business5 hours agoNCDMB, Jake Riley Empower 250 Youths On Vocational Skills
-
Oil & Energy6 hours agoNNPCL Unveils Gas Master Plan 2026 …….Targets 10bcf/day production
-
Politics4 hours agoPFN Rejects Call For INEC Chairman’s Removal Over Genocide Comments
-
News7 hours agoGovs Move To Prioritise Sugar For Industrial Growth
-
Sports6 hours agoEkitike Stars As Liverpool Upstage Newcastle
-
Niger Delta5 hours agoPDP Declares Edo Airline’s Plan As Misplaced Priority
-
Environment5 hours agoNigeria, UAE to waive tariffs on some products
-
Oil & Energy5 hours agoNUPRC Pledges Transparency In 2025 Oil Pre – Bid Round