PDP Reaches Out to Estranged Governors

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Read Time:9 Minute, 48 Second
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has embarked on moves to get five of its governors who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) back under its umbrella.
 
THISDAY gathered yesterday that the party has reopened discussion with them with the aim of resolving the issues that pushed them to join the opposition party.
Besides, the presidency has joined forces with the party to engage the five governors who defected from the PDP in November so that they could return to the ruling party.
The defected governors are: Chibuike Amaechi (Rivers), Musa Kwankwaso (Kano), Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto), Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara) and Murtala Nyako (Adamawa).
 
However, amid speculations over a plot by the PDP to remove the five governors, the APC Thursday warned the ruling party against any attempt to remove them, saying this would not bode well for the peace of the country.
Also, Niger State Governor, Dr. Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu, who along with the five governors and others who factionalised the PDP by forming the New PDP, explained yesterday why he did not follow his five colleagues to dump the ruling party.
He said he decided to stay back in PDP because his people did not want him to leave the party.
 
A source told THISDAY yesterday that the presidency and the PDP leadership have been reaching out to the five governors to see if they could rethink their defection.
It was learnt that the party and the presidency have commissioned some people to convince the governors with a promise that a compromise could be reached in resolving their grievances.
One of the governors who was contacted a couple of days ago while in Lagos for a meeting with the APC leadership had granted audience to the emissary of the PDP but told him that a change of mind was late as any such move would be suicidal.
"They also know it's not possible and I told him so. How can we change our mind now? It's late. We're gone and gone for good. Even those who have not left, they can't change their minds, much less those of us who have gone and gone for good," he said.
The governor explained that it was not a matter of pride but a question of risk elimination, which does not add up at this stage of the struggle to combat the rudderless leadership of the PDP.
"We've been on this for many months now and they could not do anything to stop us. Instead, what we were confronted with was a very arrogant leadership that thought everything started and ended with them. But this decision is to prove them wrong. So, any move to change us now is futile," he added.
 
In an apparent confirmation of the new rapprochement between PDP and the defected governors, the party in a statement yesterday said it was holding talks with them along with all major stakeholders of the party to end the festering crisis in the party.
The party also debunked reports in some sections of the media that some senators walked out on its National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, when he visited the Senate to meet with PDP senators on Wednesday.
Perhaps it was in light of the new peace efforts to assuage the feelings of the defected governors that Tukur during his visit to the Senate, told reporters that he was not aware that Amaechi and others had left the party.
"Have they defected? They have not gone yet," he had said in response to the reporters' inquiry.
 
According to a statement by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, in Abuja, the party will do all within its powers to engage all its aggrieved members so that their grievances can be addressed and peace return to the party.
The party restated the commitment of its National Working Committee (NWC) to resolve all the issues fuelling crisis in the party and to  "ensure that all issues are handled along the lines of these ideals and in accordance with the provisions of the PDP constitution, the constitution of Nigeria and the laws of the land. We reiterate that no unlawful means will be used under any guise whatsoever in handling the issues.”
 
The party urged all its members to remain calm and focused, adding that it would come out of the current challenges stronger than ever.
On the report that some senators walked out on Tukur, Metuh described it as untrue, saying it is “totally false and deliberately planted by the enemies of the PDP to mislead the public and impede efforts by the leadership to achieve total reconciliation in the party.”
Notwithstanding the olive branch to the defected governors, APC yesterday warned PDP against any attempt to remove them from office because they switched political allegiance.
The party threatened to use its rumoured majority in the National Assembly in the wake of the defection to checkmate any further acts of impunity by PDP and the presidency.
 
The party said apart from being illegal and smacking of double standard, such a move could plunge Nigeria into chaos.
In a statement by its interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said any attempt by the PDP to act in desperation and declare the governors' seats vacant would be met with an unprecedented show of people's power that would end, once and for all, the impunity of the PDP and the presidency.
"We have irrefutable evidence that the PDP is desperately shopping for a pliant judge who will be heavily induced to declare vacant the seats of the five governors who recently defected to the APC. We also have the name of the lawyers who have been retained by the PDP for this hatchet job," it said.
 
APC said it was aware of the various legal options being explored by PDP and the presidency in a desperate bid to remove the governors.
"We hereby serve a strong notice to the duo that any attempt by anyone through any means other than what is provided for in section 188 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, will not only have grave consequences but will leave the polity severely bruised.
"We know the PDP and the presidency are anarchic and nihilistic, and will not mind to pursue any narrow and selfish objective, even if doing such can plunge the nation into a crisis. But their cup is gradually getting full.
 
"We wish to state unequivocally that should the PDP go ahead with this plan, there will be widespread repercussions as the APC has resolved that henceforth, every act of impunity of the PDP and the presidency will be met with stiff resistance in the form of a vociferous telegraphing of people's power, the likes of which have not been witnessed in these parts," the opposition party added.
The party also warned against any attempt by the PDP and the presidency to roll back reforms in the judiciary by suborning a judge to unseat the governors.
 
"We recognise the efforts of the present CJN to sanitise the judiciary since she assumed the mantle of leadership but she should not allow any black leg to reverse the gains that have been recorded on the altar of unmitigated avarice. This is because if that happens, Nigerians will hold the judiciary vicariously liable for the catastrophic consequences that may follow," it said.
 
Accusing the PDP of engaging in double standard, APC said: "For all of 14 years, elected members of the state Houses of Assembly as well as the National Assembly have been defecting mostly to the PDP and no court has ever declared their seats vacant.
"The late Senator Wahab Dosunmu and Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe, then of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), blazed the trail when they decamped to the PDP within a year of their election. Since then, scores of elected lawmakers at state and federal levels have defected to the PDP without any eyebrows being raised or anyone declaring their seats vacant.
 
"When Governors Ikedi Ohakim of Imo State and Theodore Orji of Abia State, both elected on the platform of the PPA, and Governor Isa  Yuguda of Bauchi State, who was elected on the platform of the ANPP, defected to the PDP, nobody declared their seats vacant.
"As a matter of fact, the PDP under the late President Umar Yar'Adua organised an elaborate reception to welcome Governor Yuguda to the PDP.
 
"Why then should the case of the five PDP governors who have joined the APC be different?  Why is the PDP suddenly afraid of taking the same medicine it has been administering to others? Does it mean that all the bravado that has been displayed by the PDP, which says it is not bothered by the defection of the five governors, is just a facade to hide its deep pain at the monumental loss?"
It asked the PDP to be guided by the ruling of the Supreme Court after the ruling party attempted to make the then Vice-President Atiku Abubakar to lose his seat and to also strip him of his privileges following his defection to the defunct Action Congress (AC).
One of the aggrieved governors of the ruling party, Aliyu, however explained yesterday why he did not follow his colleagues to join APC.
 
He said in Minna that he decided to stay back in PDP because his people did not want him to leave the party.
"Majority of my people prefers that we stay in PDP and we will stay and make it work. It is about my people. There is no way I'll take any decision without coming back to my people to seek for their views," he told a delegation of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), led by the Country Vice-President, Ms. Hauwa Shekarau, which visited him.
Aliyu, in his first remarks since the defection of the five governors, denied an allegation that he betrayed his colleagues by not defecting to APC.
 
Speaking on the reason behind the formation of the G7 Governors, Aliyu said: “The idea was that we saw some actions that were happening and some people were taking the success of the PDP that have been elected since 1999 for granted.
“There was need to make people understand that you cannot take people’s support for granted. And you really need to reinvigorate it so that it comes back to be properly accepted by the people."
According to him, everyone has made his decision and his own decision to remain in PDP should be respected.
"I led the so-called G7 as a result of a reform we were looking for in our party. The idea was not to leave our party; the idea was to reform it. The fight is not about me, it is not a one-man show, it is not about my ambition. It is about my people.
 
"If along the line of the struggle, some people find it more expedient to leave the party, that is their decision and I respect that. Those of us who felt we still need a reform and we felt that we should remain, I think our views and actions should be respected," he added.
Speaking earlier, Shekarau lamented the increasing level of violence against women and children in the country.
She however solicited for appropriate laws to check the incident.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Senate Rejects Saraki’s Objection, Confirms Oba’s Re-appointment

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Read Time:3 Minute, 22 Second
The Senate Thursday confirmed the re-appointment of Professor Oba Abdulraheem as the Chairman of Federal Character Commission (FCC) despite stiff opposition to his return from Senators Bukola Saraki (Kwara Central) and Shaba Lafiagi (Kwara North) who hail from his home state.
 
His confirmation, which followed a heated debate generated by the report of the Senate Committee on Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs, secured the support of majority senators who believed that Oba deserved a re-appointment having “repositioned” the commission.
 
But the Minority Leader, Senator George Akume and Senator Barnabas Gemade (Benue North-east) did not share the view of majority senators as they submitted that though Oba’s credentials and qualification for the job of FCC chairman were not in doubt, they alleged that he had not done his work well as the chairman of a regulatory commission.
 
Therefore, they submitted that when confirmed for a second term of five years, the former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin “needs to bend backward” and ensure the commission does its oversight function as expected.
 
"While not being completely in agreement with the Minority Leader, I am in agreement with him that this man as a chairman of the Federal Character Commission, has in fact, not done his work to the total satisfaction of all concerned.
"So, when he gets back to this job, he should therefore try to know that beyond the strict adherence to the law, there are also certain sensibilities that must be taken care of," Gemade said.
 
However, while the Senate was still undecided on the confirmation of Oba, an air of resentment suddenly swept through the Senate when Senator Nenadi Usman (Kaduna South) told the chamber how Saraki had insisted that nobody could get anything from Kwara unless he had his blessing, thus implying that Oba could not get a second term because he had not endorsed it.
 
Nenadi said: “The question here from two of the two senators over this issue is that I took time to discuss with both senators. In fact, Senator James Manager and I visited Senator Bukola Saraki in his office on this very issue because we felt that as members of the PDP, we must not wash our dirty linen in public if at all there are dirty linens. But the question here should be that the person in question here, has he visited his senators, shown them respect or not and the answer here is, he has.
 
"I know one occasion when he was there; I went there with Senator James Manager. The unfortunate thing which everyone in this chamber knows is that when he visited the senator, he recorded their discussion, played it out and sent it through blackberry messenger back to his senatorial constituents where he showed and said that he believed he was that important.
 
"Otherwise, why were people coming to talk to him about the issue which means no one could get appointment from Kwara without his blessing? Yes, he said it. I think that this is distinguished a chamber; we are all distinguished members and we must act as distinguished members. I therefore called on each and every member of this distinguished Senate to please, support the confirmation of not just the professor but other members,"
 
The comment appeared to have created the impression of arrogance display by Saraki in the senators who seemed to immediately make up their minds to confirm Oba and indeed, when the Senate President, David Mark, called for a voice vote, there was no single dissenting voice. Both Saraki and Lafiagi were absent at the session.
 
Oba was confirmed alongside other members of the commission, viz: Dr. Femi Ogunsola (Kwara), Hon. Isibor Ifaluyi (Edo) and Mrs. Adaeze Idigo-Izundu.
In his remark, Mark noted that it was not in the best interest of the nation for “local politics” to be brought to national scene.

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Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Solomon Lar’s Body Arrives Nigeria Today

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Read Time:1 Minute, 45 Second
The remains of the pioneer National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Solomon Lar, is expected to arrive at Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja this morning, the funeral planning committee has said.
 
The Chairman of the National Funeral Planning Committee, Prof. Jerry Gana, disclosed this yesterday Abuja, while announcing the activities line-up  for the burial the late politician.
 
Gana stated that the House of Representatives would on Tuesday, December 10 hold a special session at the National Assembly complex to honour the First Republic lawmaker who hailed from Plateau State.  
 
He also said an airport reception would hold in honour of the late politician by 6a.m., while the national commendation service will also hold on Saturday at the National Christian Centre by 3p.m.
 
Catholic Bishop of Sokoto,  Rev. Mathew Hassan Kukar,  and the renowned professor of political science, Jonah Eliagwu, will on Monday 9, deliver memorial lectures at the Sheraton Hotel, Abuja, as part of late politician’s funeral programme.
 
According to the committee, Lar's body will leave Abuja for Lafia, Nasarawa State on Tuesday for a lying-in-state at the same time arrive at his country home, Langtang in Pleatue State for another lying-in-state and service of songs.
A special valedictory session of the Plateau State High Court will hold on Thursday, before another lying-in-state for the public at the Government House Chapel, Rayfield, Jos.
 
The late politician will finally be interred after a state funeral service at Rwang Pam Township Stadium on Friday, while celebration will take place at the same venue on Saturday.
 
The funeral programme would be concluded with a thanksgiving service by the Lar's family on Sunday at the Church of Christ International in Nigeria (COCIN) Lantang on Sunday, December 15.
Lar was the first civilian governor of the old Plateau State, Minister of Police Affairs under the late General Sani Abacha’s regime as Head of States and remained influential in the ruling PDP till his death.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Lekki-Ikoyi Toll Gate: Judge Orders LASG, Others to File Written Addresses

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Read Time:2 Minute, 25 Second
A Federal High Court in Lagos Thursday ordered the Lagos State  Attorney General (AG) to address it on the claim that the federal government granted approval for the construction of the Lekki-Ikoyi bridge.
 
Justice Saliu Saidu gave the order at the resumed hearing of a suit filed by a Lagos-based lawyer, Mr. Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, challenging the state government’s collection of tolls on the bridge.
 
The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) are joined as first and second respondents in the suit.
Also as third and fourth respondents in the suit are the Lagos State AG and the state government.
 
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Lagos State AG, Mr. Ade Ipaye, had in a counter-affidavit on November 25, averred that the state had paid for and obtained approval to construct the bridge.
 
Adegboruwa, however, informed the court that he had filed a further reply to the respondent's counter-affidavit, arguing that neither the federal nor the state government, had power to collect toll on the bridge.
 
The applicant added that although the respondent had argued that an approval was sought and obtained, such approval did not vest power in the state to impose tolls on motorists.
 
He, therefore, urged the court to adopt all processes filed by the respondents, in support of his originating summons.
 
The lawyer also sought leave of the court to re-adopt his arguments.
Justice Saidu, in a short ruling, ordered the applicant and all respondents, to file written addresses on the new facts raised in the third respondent's counter-affidavit, stating that it had obtained approval for the bridge.
 
The judge also ordered Mrs Queen Mba, counsel to NIWA, to file a reply to the third respondent's counter-affidavit.
 
He said failure to do so would be deemed an admission of facts deposed.
Saidu then adjourned the case to January 16, 2014 to enable parties file their addresses.
Adegboruwa had filed the suit on November 26, 2012, seeking an order of injunction, restraining the Lagos State Government from collecting any toll or tax in any form whatsoever, from motorists on the bridge.
 
The applicant also wants the court to determine whether the government has the power and authority to construct a bridge on the Lagos Lagoon and the Lekki Lagoon, which are both categorised by law as federal navigable waterways.
 
He also seeks a determination of court as to whether there exists any law in Nigeria, authorising the collection of such tolls, tax or fee from citizens.
 
Adegboruwa also wants the court to declare that imposition of such toll on road users and residents of Lekki Scheme 1, Ikoyi, Ajah, Ibeju-Lekki and Epe communities, amounts to a flagrant violation of their rights.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Imo Govt Faults EFCC Alleged Clearance of Agbaso

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Read Time:1 Minute, 43 Second
The Imo State Government Thursday faulted the alleged clearance of the former Deputy Governor of the state, Mr. Jude Agbaso, of the bribery allegation to the tune of N458 million by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
 
It accused those responsible for such moves as enemies of the state government.
In a statement signed by the Special Assistant to the Governor on media, Sam Onwuemeodo, and made available to THISDAY in Owerri, he described such news as a rumour that did not carry weight because according to him, the EFCC does not have the legal capacity to issue anybody a clean bill of health.
 
The statement stated: "It is important to state categorically that the state government is not aware of the purported clearance of the former deputy governor by the EFCC."
 
"It is also difficult to believe that EFCC could clear the former deputy governor when nothing has been heard about the man at the centre of the matter, Mr. Joseph Dina of Jpros, since the agents of the commission abducted him, even when the man has a case in court on several charges including obtaining money by false pretence."
 
According to him, the EFCC does not have the constitutional or statutory right to clear anybody over a matter that is pending in the court(s) of competent jurisdiction, adding that one can be forced to ask whether the purported EFCC clearance has nullified the impeachment action carried out by the state House of Assembly?  The answer is no.
 
"It is also important to ask whether the Agbaso case is the only matter the EFCC has handled in the state."
 
  The answer is no.   Right from the time of Chief Achike Udenwa to that of Chief Ikedi Ohakim, and indeed to the current government of Chief Rochas Okorocha, the EFCC has been handling matters arising from petitions, and none had been either cleared or prosecuted by EFCC.   Why is the Agbaso case different?”

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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NLC, TUC Strike in Edo Goes Violent as Thugs Attack Labour Leaders

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Read Time:2 Minute, 1 Second
The strike embarked upon by the Edo State council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) went violent yesterday as the state Chairman of the NLC, Mr. Emmanuel Ademokun, was beaten to stupor by thugs allegedly sponsored the state government.
 
The state chapter of NLC and TUC on Monday embarked on an indefinite strike over unpaid allowances by the state government.
It was gathered that worker who were trying to enforce the strike at the Palm House Secretariat Complex located along Sapele Road, Benin City were ambushed by thugs and beaten up.
 
Following the attack, some of the victims including Ademokun sustained head injuries inflicted on them by the thugs.
 
Speaking on the incident, Ademokun, who expressed surprise over the actions of the thugs whom he said got orders to attack them from a top government official, told journalists that the use of thugs by government or its agents will not deter labour from fighting for what belongs to them.
 
"We were out this morning after holding meeting with our workers on the progress we have made so far on the issue of Salary Relativity and we went to Palm House to monitor compliance when Oloye's boy's swam on us like bees, beating my members, shooting sporadically into the air even as some persons in police uniforms shot tear gas at us.
 
"As I speak with you, some of my members who were seriously injured were taking treatment at some major pharmaceuticals, you can see my swollen head. We watched helplessly as Loye (PS, Ministry of Environment and Public Utilities) gave directives to the boys to continue to disrupt us even when I told them that we came for peace and not to fight," he said.
 
Reacting to the NLC chairman’s allegation, Permanent Secretary State Ministry, Major Lawrence Loye (rtd), who said he holding a meeting with some government officials at the time the labour leaders arrived, explained that the they (labour leaders) were throwing stones on offices at the complex in a bid to force workers, an action he said was against labour law.   
 
He said following their violent approach, members of the State Task Force on Environment who were at the scene intervened to make peace, but the labour leaders attacked them, forcing the task force members to retaliate.

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Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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‘Nigeria Loses N50bn to Fire Disaster Annually’

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Read Time:1 Minute, 23 Second
The Minister of Interior, Mr. Abba Moro, Thursday disclosed that the country loses an estimated N50 billion worth of properties annually to fire disasters.
 
The minister who disclosed in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, during the fifth National Council on Fire also said the ministry had presented the National Fire Service code to the Federal Executive Council which, according to him has been found germane to President Goodluck Jonathan’s transformation agenda.
 
According to him,  "As I am speaking to you now, we are losing an average of 50 billion Naira worth of properties annually and so many lives are lost every year.
 
"Fire disaster is not regular occurrence. ‘People hardly take proper notice of what happens but when fire disasters occur, especially against the impending climate change, it would cost this nation very seriously in losses to its commonwealth.
“We've already presented the national fire safety code to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and it has been properly noted and found germane to the present transformation drive of the this administration.
 
“What we are required to do now in order to get the local governments and the state government involved is to present it to the national economic council that has in its fold all the governors of the states. We are hoping that gradually, we will get there by asking everybody to embrace the imperatives of the fire safety codes.”
 
The minister noted that the imperativeness that would make the fire service effective in saving the national commonwealth through fire incident had been taken into their proper perspectives.

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Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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CBN Sells $2.4bn to Forex Dealers at RDAS

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Read Time:2 Minute, 41 Second
In line with its resolve to continue to defend the naira, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) sold a total of $2.40 billion to dealers at its regulated Retail Dutch Auction System (RDAS) in November as against the $2.39 billion sold in October.
 
However, the central bank offered a total of $2.45 billion, representing a reduction by 6.12 per cent, over the $2.60 billion offered in October.
 
But FSDH Merchant Bank Limited, in its review of the activities in the money market in November, put the cumulative net outflow from the government securities and forex market in November at N610.37 billion.
 
In addition, in November, the value of the naira against the dollar appreciated at the interbank and official market segments of the forex market, while it depreciated at the parallel market, compared to October. At the interbank market, the naira appreciated by 45kobo to close at N158.45/$1 from the N158.90/$1 recorded in October. At the official market segment, the naira also gained eight kobo to close at N155.72/$1 from N155.80/$1 recorded in the preceding month, while at the parallel market, the naira depreciated by 250 kobo to close at N168.50/$1 from the N166/$1 recorded in October.
 
Nevertheless, the money market rate was marginally higher in November, compared to October. The relative tightness in the market was attributed to the continued use of the Open Market Operations (OMO) by the CBN to moderate the liquidity level in the system, due to huge maturities repayment of government securities.
 
It also noted that the sale of forex by the central bank contributed to the tightness in November.  Consequently, the average money market rates were marginally higher in November, compared to October.
 
The 7-day NIBOR opened the month of November at 11.13 per cent, compared to 10.92 per cent in October. Similarly, the 90-day NIBOR opened the month of November at 12.58 per cent, compared to 11.75 per cent in October, and increased by 288 basis points to a month high of 15.46 per cent on November 15, 2013.
 
It also stated that the mop-up activities of the CBN influenced the direction of the NIBOR in the review period.
 
At the 91-day treasury bills auction, a total of N42.71 billion worth of securities was offered and sold to competitive bidders in November. The bill was 169.66 per cent subscribed as N72.46 billion worth of bid was received from competitive bidders.
 
On the other hand, a total of N42.71 billion worth of matured bills was repaid into the system leading to a net nil flow from this segment of the market. At the 182-day treasury bills, auction, a total of N55 billion worth of securities was offered and sold to competitive bidders in November.
 
At the OMO transactions held in November, there was a total outflow of about N367.12 billion from the system, while there was a total inflow of N130.46 billion, leading to a net outflow of N236.66 billion from this segment of the market.

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Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Lagos, Rivers, Delta, Lead in Internally Generated Revenue

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Read Time:3 Minute, 8 Second
Lagos, Rivers, Delta, Edo, and Akwa Ibom States recorded the highest internally generated revenue (IGR) in three years spanning 2010 to 2012.
 
Data made available by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and Joint Tax Board (JTB) showed that   Lagos dominated the other 35 states, raking in a total of N607.7 billion in three years.  Rivers followed with N173.1 billion, while Delta realised N106.4 billion. Edo raked in N53.53 billion, just as Akwa Ibom made N35.6 billion.
 
On the other hand, Jigawa,   Zamfara,   Nasarawa, Borno and Taraba States dominated the bottom of the table having collected the lowest IGR among the 36 states of the federation.
Jigawa recorded only N2.725 billion, while Zamfara accounted for N6.374 billion.  Nasarawa, Borno, Taraba generated N5.982 billion, N6.83 billion and N7.571 billion respectively.
 
The IGR was realised from Pay-As-You- Earn (PAYE), direct assessment, road taxes and other revenue with PAYE accounting for the highest amount.
 
A breakdown of the Lagos IGR in three years showed that the state recorded N185.9 billion in 2010, which increased to N202.76 billion in 2011 and rose further to N219.2 billion in 2012.
 
Of the N219.2 billion in 2012, Lagos realised the highest revenue of   N172.44 billion from workers through the PAYE. A total of   N4.36 billion came from road taxes, N1.89 billion from direct assessment of companies doing business while N40.513 billion was from other revenue sources.
 
Lagos  State realised  about N120.25 billion from PAYE in 2011; N7.97 billion from direct assessment, and N74.54 billion from other sources, while N104.681 billion came from PAYE in 2010; N7.51 billion from direct sources, and N73.704 billion from other sources.
 
Rivers State, which came second on the table, realised about N49.59 billion in 2010; N57.19 billion in 2011 and N66.28 billion in 2012.  The state raked in N55.1 billion through PAYE in 2012; N485.9 million through road taxes; N22.075 million through direct tax assessment and N10.668 million through other revenue sources during the year.
 
Delta State realised N106.4 billion within the three years under review. It realised N26.1 billion in 2010, N34.75 billion in 2011 and N45.57 billion on 2012. PAYE fetched Delta State  over N42.565 billion in 2012. Also, N244.195million was realised from road taxes,   N123.4million from direct assessment, while N2.635billion came from other sources.
 
Edo State realised N10.651 billion in 2010, which increased to N14.764 billion in 2011 and to N18.88 billion in 2012. Similarly, Akwa Ibom raked in N10.133 billion in 2010, N11.678 billion in 2011 and N13.517 billion in 2012.
 
However, Jigawa State, which recorded the least amount of N2.725 billion, realised N1.241 billion in 2010 and N1.482 billion in 2011, but no information was provided in respect of 2012.
 
Yobe and   Borno, which are also among the states with the worst record in terms of IGR, have been suffering from terrorist attacks by Boko Haram. This development made the federal government to declare a state of emergency in the two states, along with Adamawa State last May and to further renew the emergency rule after the expiration of the six-month period.
 
While a conducive business environment accelerates the growth of IGR, most of the northern states have not enjoyed peace that can guarantee such a friendly business environment. Many companies have reduced their business activities in many of the states that are targets of Boko Haram attacks.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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NCS Introduces New Trade Portals

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Read Time:3 Minute, 6 Second
The Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Alhaji Inde Dikko Abdullahi has said the service has provided two central computers for traders in Balogun market trade fair complex.
 
The computers, which are to serve as enlightenment tools to aid the understanding of a new Customs regime known as the Nigerian Trade Hub, were donated at the ultra-modern markets yesterday in Lagos.
 
The NCS in conjunction with the Ministry of Finance, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had taken a bold step to develop interactive trade portals for the facilitation of trade, decongestion of the ports and transparency in business transactions in Nigeria.
 
Speaking at a sensitisation forum to educate the public on the introduction of its twin trade portals known as the Nigerian Trade Hub (NTH) and the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR), NCS boss said it was aware it needed to transcend higher in facilitating trade in accordance with international best practices.
 
The NTH is an interactive and intelligent tool used by importers and exporters to understand rules of importation, classification of commodities, rates of duties, freight advice, and government statutory agencies responsible for licensing, currency exchange rates, and market place advertising to showcase goods available in Nigeria.
Any lawful trade that must be carried out at the cross borders must be done in accordance with the prerequisites of NTH.
 
The PAAR on the other hand warehouses information needed in international trade, whereas the NTH provides a counterpart local information portal for Nigerian businesses, including business registry that shows the names, addresses and telephone contacts of licensed agents, terminal operators.
 
In the same vein, the NTH is a compendium that gives a wide range of information about NCS formalities with easy-to-understand composite trade guide.
NCS have trained 300 hundred officers in the past one year. The officers are to work on rotational bases to control the trade portals and provide assistance through their hot lines to the public.
 
It is believed that upon submitting the correct information on commodities the system can generate PAAR, within six hours.
 
Abdullahi maintained that NCS has the capability to handle the new regime as it has qualified personnel to ensure power sustainability, efficient logistics and uninterrupted communications systems.
 
According to the NCS Comptroller General, the service boasts of high capacity generators to tackle power outage. The provision of batteries reinforces the idea and the setting of the internet on off-line mode makes the regime supreme to internet failure and non-connectivity. There is also a move from manual operations to seamless operations all embedded in the platform.
 
At the meeting, stakeholders raised the question of dynamism and change in government policies. It is believed that PAAR and NTH would not be static but dynamic creating room for updates and improvements that might arise through government agencies such as NAFDAC, SON who might want to re-introduce regulatory policies in the future.
 
Abdullahi who was accompanied on the visit by the top echelon of the service assured stakeholders especially importers and exporters that NCS has enough men and officers that have also been trained to take over from Scanning Service Providers (SSPs) who verify goods entering or departing the ports.
 
He added that the officers now have hands-on experience on how to operate scanners at ports of arrival, having understudied the system under the SSPs namely, Cotecna, Global Scan.
 
The SSPs who have worked with the NCS for over 30 years were alleged to have not provided reliable scanners as some of the 21 scanners supplied in 7 years most of them were obsolete. Places like Warri, Illorin and Borno were never supplied of such equipment.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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