News
Afenifere Backs Rivers On VAT
A pan-Yoruba socio-political organization, Afenifere has hailed the ruling of a High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Value Added Tax (VAT), saying that it would enhance true federalism in the country.
The group also called on the Federal Government to stop its actions and policies that are impeding the practice of true federalism in Nigeria.
In a press release issued by Afenifere, signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Jare Ajayi and made available to newsmen in Ibadan, yesterday, the group also commended the Rivers State Government for initiating the legal process.
Afenifere noted that the rulings by Justice Stephen Dalyop Pam of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt on August 9 and on September 6, 2021 have earned the Judiciary in Nigeria an epaulet as an institution that is not only capable of ensuring justice but is actually working on deepening federalism in the country.
The group noted further they observed that the manner of distributing VAT revenue is patently unfair, unjust and is pitched against the hardworking while rewarding the indolent by a manner of speaking citing an example of Lagos State which generates as much as 55 per cent of this revenue receives less than 10 per cent while most states where less than 5 % is generated get the same amount that Lagos gets.
They described it as distasteful.
They added that the sum collected by the FIRS is shared among the three tiers of government, with the Federal Government taking 15 per cent, states 50 per cent; local governments, 35 per cent adding that the Federal Government is taking undeserved larger chunk because when 50 % is shared among the 36 states, what each state gets is a paltry sum, adding that same applies for 774 local government councils that share 36 per cent.
Ajayi then called on the state governments to use the opportunity provided by these judgments to explore other areas that the Constitution empowers them to assert themselves as federalists, adding that states should step up actions that will liberate them from the stronghold of the federal government that has turned Nigeria into a unitary state.
He listed areas in which the states need to assert themselves to include agriculture, health, education, electricity, physical planning, title registration, registration and production of vehicle number plates and casino licensing e.t.c. as Lagos State Government did in the past.
Afenifere also said that the attempt by the Federal Government to establish farm estates in all the 109 senatorial districts in Nigeria was another way of bringing back the rejected cattle colony and RUGA.
According to Ajayi, “To us in Afenifere, the attempt by the Federal Government to establish so-called Farm Estates in all the 109 Senatorial Districts is another way of imposing the rejected cattle colony and RUGA on Nigerians. It is also another way of defying the federal spirit of the Constitution as lands are vested in the state governors.
“If the governors granted the lands being asked for, cattle colonies would be established in these estates as revealed in the view expressed by the Executive Secretary of the National Agriculture Land Development Agency (NALDA), Prince Paul Ikonne.
“States should reject this attempt, particularly since the farm estates NALDA is using as an excuse to grab lands for the Federal Government “are familiar territory for many states, especially in the South-West that inherited farm estates from the defunct regional government of late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.”
Afenifere, however, told the Federal Government to stop its actions and policies that are impeding the practice of true federalism in the country, adding that the Rivers State Government has further enhanced the practice of true federalism bases on the litigation it initiated against the Federal Government on Value Added Tax (VAT).
According to Afenifere, the rulings by Justice Stephen Dalyop Pam of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt on August 9 and on September 6, this year, have earned the Judiciary in Nigeria an epaulet as an institution that is not only capable of ensuring justice but is actually working on deepening federalism in the country.
Justice Pam had while delivering judgments on August 9, in Suit No. FHC/PH/CS/149/2020, filed by the Attorney-General for Rivers State (plaintiff), against the Federal Inland Revenue Service (first defendant) and the Attorney General of the Federation (second defendant) had said that allowing the Federal Government, through FIRS, to continue to collect VAT would negate the spirit of the federal system of government that Nigeria is supposed to run.
The judge reiterated the position, while ruling on Tuesday, September 7, the case brought by the FIRS.
“Afenifere commends the judge for this. Going by to item 62, Part 1, 2nd Schedule of the 1999 (constitution as amended) and the VAT Act, Cap. V1, LFN, 2004 (as amended by the Finance Act, 2020), the states are empowered to collect VAT. The power of the federal government on taxes is limited to the profits/income of persons/companies, capital gains and stamp duties on instruments, but does not extend to VAT as attested to by a Federal High Court judgment delivered on December 11, 2020 in a case between Emmanuel Chukwuka Ukala v. FIRS.
“Afenifere observes that the manner of distributing VAT revenue is patently unfair, unjust and is pitched against the hardworking people, while rewarding the indolent by a manner of speaking. For instance, Lagos State, which generates as much as 55 per cent of this revenue receives less than 10 per cent while most states where less than five per cent is generated get the same amount that Lagos gets. It is quite distasteful.
“The sum collected by the FIRS is shared among the three tiers of government, with the Federal Government taking 15 per cent, states 50 per cent; local governments, 35 per cent. From the foregoing, it would be seen that the Federal Government is taking undeserved larger chunk because when 50 per cent is shared among the 36 states, what each state gets is a paltry sum. Same for 774 local government councils that share 36 per cent.”
Afenifere also called on the state governments to use the opportunity provided by the landmark judgments to explore other areas that the constitution empowers them to assert themselves as federalists, saying they should step up actions that will liberate the states from the stronghold of the Federal Government that has “turned Nigeria into a unitary state – in contradiction to the federal spirit prescribes by the constitution. They should be rest assured of Afenifere support as they give vent to power devolution and entrenchment of true federalism in Nigeria.
“Areas in which the states need to assert themselves include agriculture, health, education, electricity, physical planning, title registration, registration and production of vehicle number plates and casino licensing, as Lagos State Government did in the past.”
Afenifere, however, suggested that a roundtable discussion could be held between states and Federal Government to clear the fear on possible multiple taxation. The group also advised FIRS to resist the temptation to keep appealing the judgment that empowers states to collect local taxes, saying “such a step is another assault on the federal system that we are supposed to be running.”
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), has decried the continued exclusion of its members from payment of specialist allowance despite performing specialist functions in various health institutions across the country.
It also condemned the persistent casualisation and poor remuneration of members by chief executives of tertiary hospitals.
The President of the association in Akwa Ibom State, Dr Osundara Tope, raised the concerns while addressing a press conference where he read the communique issued at the end of the May ordinary meeting and scientific conference with the theme: “The Medical Profession: Policies, Politics, and Future Prospects,” held in Uyo at the weekend.
The communique was signed by the association’s President, Dr Osundara Tope, Secretary-General, Dr. Odunbaku Kazeem Oluwasola, and Public and Social Secretary, Dr. Amobi Omoha, respectively.
“The OGM observed with disappointment the continued exclusion of resident doctors from the payment of specialist allowances, despite their active role in delivering specialist care across various health institutions.
“The OGM strongly condemns the continued and persistent casualisation and the consequent poor remuneration of doctors by the chief executives of tertiary hospitals .The meeting also expressed disappointment over the non-payment of arrears from the upward review of the CONMESS salary structure and other outstanding salary arrears,” the communique read.
The association condemned federal government’s failure to pay the 2024 Accouterments Allowance arrears and persistent shortchanging of its members for the past 16 years due to absence of consequential adjustments to the CONMESS structure, which it noted was a breach of the 2009 Collective Bargaining Agreement.
He further expressed disappointment over lack of response to multiple correspondences on the issue, emphasising that such contradicts the National Policy on Health Workforce, which advocates improved incentives to retaining healthcare workers.
According to Tope, “The OGM notes with concern the persistent short-changing of members for 16 years, due to the absence of consequential adjustments to the CONMESS structure, in breach of the 2009 Collective Bargaining Agreement.
“This contradicts the National Policy on Health Workforce, which advocates improved incentives to retaining healthcare workers.
“The OGM is dismayed at the lack of response to multiple correspondences sent over the past six months regarding the consequential adjustments.The OGM condemns the Federal Government’s failure to pay the 2024 Accoutrement Allowance arrears.”
The meeting further expressed displeasure over the delay in addressing welfare issues in Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital including the non-payment of outstanding March 2024 salaries, the 7–14 months of arrears still owed to Residents and Medical Officers of the association
It therefore demanded immediate payment of the arrears of the 25/35% upwardly revised CONMESS, and other salary arrears and full implementation of consequential adjustments to the 2019 and 2024 minimum wage on basic salaries and allowances, along with accrued arrears.
A maritime security outfit, Active Marine Surveillance and Coast Guard Limited, says it is ready to deploy its men to ensure security across waterways in Rivers State and Niger Delta.
The group which said this in an interview with newsmen in Port Harcourt also pledged to collaborate with the various security agencies to ensure safety on the state waterways.
Director General of the organisation, Commandant Godwin Amare, said the organisation cannot sit down and watch pirates take control of the waterways in Rivers State and the Niger Delta region.
He said his group is planning to deploy its men to the Bonny, Bille and Degema rivers to check the activities of pirates
According to him, allowing pirates to take control of these waterways will not only affect the economy of Rivers State but the entire Niger Delta region.
He said the paramilitary organisation has the manpower to check piracy on the waterways but required the support of both the federal and state governments especially in the provision of the necessary security equipment such as speed boats.
Amare said the organisation, which protects jetties and waterways from pirates is also involved in search and rescue operations ,adding that his organisation has competent divers who can undertake rescue operations, in deep waters.
“We cannot be sitting down here while our aims and objectives is not being fulfilled. “We want to tell the federal and state governments that we want to come out and join in the fight against sea piracy to make our waterways safe
“The Nigerian Navy cannot do it alone. We want to support the government by deploying our men across waterways in Rivers State and the Niger Delta so that it would be safer for people to travel on the waterways”, he said.
He said the government can assist the organisation by providing them with security boats and other instruments
Amare also disclosed plans by the organisation to embark on a tour of jetties across the region with a view to guaranteeing their safety.
Also speaking, Deputy Commandant, Active Marine Surveillance and Coast Guard Limited, Captain Dain Elekima, said all the creeks in the region need to be combed daily to flush out pirates.
He said his group has the required manpower but needs the support of both the state and federal governments to ensure safety on the waterways.
Speaking the director Finance and Operations Active Marine Surveillance and Coast Guard Limited Captain Emberro Michael said they are ready to work with the Nigerian Navy and Marine police to check all Incidences of insecurity along the waterways.
Captain Michael stressed the need for the federal and state governments to support the group.
By: John Bibor & Claire Julius
The Nigeria-Cameroon border motor park construction site is now overgrown with weeds.
Etung Local Government Area of Cross River State embarked on the project last January 2025 when they cleared the entire expanse of land and deployed machinery to commence construction work.
The international motor park site is situated along the Ikom-Mfum border road, a few distances into Cameroon.
There are outcries and worries by motorists, traders and international travellers who were initially excited over the project, given the volumes of trade and travels between the state and Cameroon Republic.
A visit to the site at the weekend showed how the site of the facility has been overtaken by bush and reptiles.
In an interview, a farmer on Effraya Road, Etomi, in the council area, Mr Anthony Attah, expressed sadness over the seeming abandonment of the project five months after it was commenced.
“I had considered the project a laudable one, and had commended the Council chairman, Henry Anom, for the initiative, considering the economic importance of such a park to the Local Government Area, taking advantage of the Cameroon borders.
“Barely four months after the excavation of the land, the place has become a bush again.”
A business man and cocoa farmer, Everlasting Eriom, also lamented the apparent discontinuation of the project which he believed, would have eased his tasks and boost his cocoa sales.
Eriom said, “Whatever are the reasons for the abandonment, let the administration of Henry Anom note that this is about the only visible project that would etch his name in history books and has the capacity to raking up Council internal revenues.”
Reacting in a statement, the Supervisor for Finance in the Etung Local Government Area, John Ogar explained that the project has been mired in controversy and legal tussle.
“The Executive Chairman of Etung Local Government Area, Henry Anom, conceived the initiative of giving Etung a unique Motor Park Facility as a border local government. Unfortunately barely days after excavating the site to kickstart actual development, we were slammed with a court injunction, as previous administration had given out the parcel of land without proper documentation to guide the current dispensation, so we can’t fight the court.
“We only have to obey the law while we fine-tune measures to have things work out.”
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