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States Lose N19bn Oil, Gas Revenues In 2022 – World Bank
Following pressures on states warranted by increase in worsening revenue collection at the federation level, states in Nigeria are most likely to lose N18.8 billion in oil and gas revenues in 2022, according to the World Bank.
Stating this in its Nigeria Development Update report, titled, ‘The Continuing Urgency of Business Unusual’, the Washington-based bank said the declining revenue from the federation level had put many states in a precarious fiscal position.
The bank warned that many states would be unable to meet up with their expenditures, because there was an increase in debt servicing expenditures of states.
According to the report, “With net oil and gas revenues stagnating, most states will not be able to achieve their intended levels of expenditures in 2022.
“In addition, debt servicing expenditures at the state level are also mounting due to a decline in gross statutory account revenue transfers from the federation account allocation committee, which comprises oil and non-value added tax, non-oil revenues”.
The bank further said the expected higher VAT collection or improvements in independently generated revenues would not compensate for the lower transfers from the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee in 2022.
It also warned that there would be a 2.7 per cent decline in FAAC transfers in 2022 when compared to 2021, saying that this decline would push states to borrow more and slash discretionary expenditure.
“Stagnating net oil revenues will significantly affect the fiscal situation at the state level.
“State governments are projected to collectively receive 2.7 per cent fewer revenues than in 2021, as federal transfers are estimated to decline by 10 per cent against 2020 levels. Lower transfers will cause state governments to incur debt or drastically slash discretionary expenditure.
“Although states receive the majority of VAT revenues, VAT increases would not make up for the loss of net oil revenues. As a result, in 2022, the average state in Nigeria will lose N18.8bn in oil and gas revenues, while optimistic projections place average gains from VAT and the electronic money transfer Levy at N7.1bn per state, and average increases in each state’s independent revenues at N6.7bn.
“As a result, the average state can expect to lose N5bn in revenue in 2022,” the report stated.
The Tide’s source reported that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited might deduct over N1tn in the next six months from the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee, following the decision of the Federal Government to continue subsidising Premium Motor Spirit, popularly called petrol.
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Senate Orders NAFDAC To Ban Sachet Alcohol Production by December 2025 ………Lawmakers Warn of Health Crisis, Youth Addiction And Social Disorder From Cheap Liquor
The upper chamber’s resolution followed an exhaustive debate on a motion sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong (Cross River South), during its sitting, last Thursday.
He warned that another extension would amount to a betrayal of public trust and a violation of Nigeria’s commitment to global health standards.
Ekpenyong said, “The harmful practice of putting alcohol in sachets makes it as easy to consume as sweets, even for children.
“It promotes addiction, impairs cognitive and psychomotor development and contributes to domestic violence, road accidents and other social vices.”
Senator Anthony Ani (Ebonyi South) said sachet-packaged alcohol had become a menace in communities and schools.
“These drinks are cheap, potent and easily accessible to minors. Every day we delay this ban, we endanger our children and destroy more futures,” he said.
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, who presided over the session, ruled in favour of the motion after what he described as a “sober and urgent debate”.
Akpabio said “Any motion that concerns saving lives is urgent. If we don’t stop this extension, more Nigerians, especially the youth, will continue to be harmed. The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has spoken: by December 2025, sachet alcohol must become history.”
According to him, “This is not just about alcohol regulation. It is about safeguarding the mental and physical health of our people, protecting our children, and preserving the future of this nation.
“We cannot allow sachet alcohol to keep destroying lives under the guise of business.”
According to him, “This is not just about alcohol regulation. It is about safeguarding the mental and physical health of our people, protecting our children, and preserving the future of this nation.
“We cannot allow sachet alcohol to keep destroying lives under the guise of business.”
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