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FG Registers App-Based Transport Workers, amid Jubilation

By
Ekaette Ibuot
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The Federal Government has presented a letter of approval of registration to the Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transport Workers of Nigeria (AUATWON), an informal sector trade union.

The membership of the new union comprises all app-based transport workers, online transport services, and e-hailing drivers and operators in Nigeria.

Speaking in Abuja at the Presentation Ceremony, the Minister of Labour and Employment Senator Chris Ngige, described the registration of the new union as a milestone in labour administration, particularly in the trade union services segment, adding that it marks a continued global journey to formalise the informal sector, which constitute the larger population in the world of work.

Ngige noted that prior to now, the informal sector had been unmanageable, owing to lack of identifiable structural framework to harmonise and demarcate its diverse sectors.

Ngige said, “hitherto, we gave recognition and certification to workers in the formal sector, including the private sector, such as banks, oil and gas, insurance, among other technical areas, and the public sector workers in the unions of pensioners, teachers and recently, the two newly registered university based unions, the Congress for University Academics (CONUA) and the National Association of Medical and Dentral Academics (NAMDA).

“Today, we are breaking new ground with those in the informal sector who are employing themselves and from there, employing others. The promoters of AUATWON applied for registration as a trade union on April 27, 2021 to cater for self-employed persons in the field of IT-based transportation services.

“We considered necessary factors and perimeters, especially the global move, which is sponsored mostly by the International Labour Oraganisation (ILO) to formalise the informal sector that has most of the working population in the world of work, characterised and independent owned-account workers.

“In our case today, we have a hybrid of the forgone in the informal economy who own and operate economic units which may also further include employers, and members of cooperatives and of social and solidarity economy units.”

Ngige said they also considered the changing world of work oiled by technology transformation as contained in the Centenary Declaration of the ILO in 2019, especially the need to ensure that such transformative changes were human driven.

He said in view of these considerations, his ministry decided to register AUATWON to enable the organisation of the new but growing segment of the informal economy.

Besides the creation of jobs, he said the registration of the union would enable the government to monitor the security component of transportation systems in Nigeria

“We are also backed by international position on the unionisation of workers who are self employed. The need to ensure that such workers enjoy trade union rights for the purpose of furthering and defending their interest, which includes collective bargaining, has often been emphasised in different fora, concerning the world of work.

“But for the self-employed, it is a different kind of collective bargaining, tailored to suit the peculiarities of the self-employed segment of workers, and the collective bargaining mechanism may transverse international shores of Nigeria, as such apps are usually foreign owned and operated.”

He urged the union to observe the provisions of Section 3 of the Trade Disputes Act, CAP.T8, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN), 2004, which demands that they should deposit copies of Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) with the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment.

He further charged them to also discharge their obligations under the Trade Unions Act, CAP T14, LFN, 2004, such as the rendition of annual returns to the Registrar of Trade Unions.

“The office of the Registrar of Trade Unions (RTU) will gazette your organisation in consonance with Sections 5(2) and (3) of the Trade Unions Act, and 90 days will be given for those who want to object to your existence. We will look at each petition on its merit and the RTU will write a recommendation. Afterwards, we will invite you to give you the certificate of registration to operate as a full-fledged trade union.”

In his remarks, the President of AUATWON, Dr Adedaramola Adeniran appreciated the minister for the registration of his union to protect the interest of their members who belong to the informal economy.
He noted that their members before now, were threatened due to lack of policies to protect their industry.

He described the registration of the union as a step towards achievement of decent work practices in the Nigerian informal sector, especially in the area of social dialogue by the establishment of union to represent the needs of workers in the app-based transportation sector.

“This great job will protect workers by ensuring their safety, and promote responsibility of app-based unions.”

He said as a union, they will promote the interest of their members and seek redress for those who have experienced harm in the hands of their employers.

He assured that they will work and collaborate with important stakeholders including government, app-companies, both local and international organisations that will provide welfare for their members, among others.

2023: PDP Targets 5m Votes From South South States

By
Ola Akinola
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2023: PDP Targets 5m Votes From South South States

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has declared its intention to win six million votes from the six South South states in the presidential election of 2023.

The PDP stated that its goal is to receive 700,000 votes from the state when campaigning for the presidency in Bayelsa state.

Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa, the vice presidential candidate and governor of Delta state, revealed the party’s strategy while addressing the crowd during the presidential campaign rally. He claimed that the PDP has the best chance of winning the presidency given the economic crisis and the dysfunctional social and security system that the ruling All Progressives Congress has caused (APC).

He said, “This is the best opportunity we have as a party to reclaim the presidency and I am sure that Bayelsa is ready. Go out there and ensure that you deliver a minimum of 700,000 votes and I know that in the South South geopolitical zone, we are committed to delivering a minimum of five million votes and I know that it is doable. We must work to deliver that quantum of votes.

“I know that with Atiku Abubakar and your son Sen. IfanyI Okowa and other well-meaning Nigerians, we will be able to change the story of Nigeria. The division in Nigeria will not continue to go on. We must reunify Nigeria; we must ensure that we restore peace in Nigeria. We must ensure that we grow the economy.”

Addressing the crowd, the presidential candidate of PDP, Atiku Abubakar reaffirmed his commitment to restructuring the country, devolution of powers and creating the right policies that will avail more resources and powers to states and local government.

Atiku lamented that the ruling party has exploited the nations’ fault lines, leaving citizens are more divided along ethnic and religious lines.

He said: “I said I am committed to implementing five key programs in this country starting from the unification of this Country. The reason why I want to unify the country is because we have never been this divided along a number of fault lines either north South or Muslim and Christian.

“I am going to give every part of this country a sense of belonging in the next PDP government, I promise to tackle Insecurity. Here in Bayelsa state you have faced a number of security challenges, you have lost so many people, do not breach the law and order, I promise I will restore security in this country.

“We promised that we are going to tackle the economy and make sure that we provide jobs and other opportunities for our young men and women to be gainfully employed either in the private sector or public sector.

“Finally, we propose to restructure this country, you people in the Niger Delta need more restructuring than any other part of this country, we would give you more resources and power to deal with your problems, you don’t need to always beg the federal government for everything, when you are actually producing the resources of the country, so we will devolve more power and resources to you in the Niger Delta.”

The Director General of the campaign council and governor of Sokoto State, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal said, “Atiku/Okowa are very familiar with the issues in the South South, Atiku is very familiar with the issue of insecurity in the South South. Atiku is the only candidate in this election that has a clear pathway for restructuring Nigeria and not only that, he picked Sen. Seriake Dickson as his technical adviser on restructuring.

“You should know that Atiku means restructuring and he will do it and by the grace of God, there will be a better Nigeria where life will be more meaningful to all of us especially our women in Bayelsa, our farmers in Bayelsa, our fishermen in Bayelsa, our youths in Bayelsa and every Nigerian. Atiku will reposition Nigeria and will rescue it.”

Buhari Unveils Lekki Deep Sea Port, Largest In Sub-Saharan Africa

By
Nnenna Nwankwo
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0

…Thousands of jobs would be created Says Sanwo-Olu

The largest deep sea port in Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa, the Lekki Deep Sea Port, was unveiled by President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday.

The multipurpose Deep Sea Port will be a huge asset to the expanding trade in Nigeria and throughout West Africa.

While the Port’s unveiling is a part of President Buhari’s project’s opening in Lagos, the president nonetheless went on a quick tour of the project to check out the facilities.

The Lekki Deep Sea Port is the result of the combined efforts of the Federal Government, Lagos State Government, and the Private Sector, according to Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who spoke at the ceremony.

Sanwo-Olu, who said that the project was begun and finished in the President Buhari administration, added that the size of vessels which would be coming to the Lekki Deep Sea Port could be up to four times the size of vessels that currently berth at both Tin Can and Apapa Ports.

The governor said the project would provide thousands of direct and hundreds of thousands indirect jobs to Lagosians and thanked all that brought it to reality.

According to the governor: “The project is a total combination of efforts of the Federal Government, Lagos State and the private sector and we are happy that this is happening in your time.

“It all started within your time and it has been completed within your time. The size of vessels that will be coming here could be up to four times the size of vessels that currently berth at both Tin Can and Apapa Ports.

“So, it is a massive infrastructure and we are in deed excited that something fresh has been impacted into this country and it is going to generate thousands and thousands jobs directly and hundreds of thousands of jobs indirectly in the entire ecosystem and this is your own project and we are excited.”

Attempted Chieftain Assassination: CUPP Wants Police IG Out

By
Saladin Babagana
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Charges Police, Imo Government With Cover-Up

Usman Alkali Baba, the Inspector-General of Police, has been brought into question by the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) for which it has dubbed culpable dereliction of duty.

Recall that on January 14, 2023, armed individuals who were not identified stormed the Akokwa family residence in Ugochinyere, Ideato North Local Government Area, Imo State, with great brutality.

CUPP that the IGP be removed from his position at a news conference on Monday in Lagos after the main suspect, Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, brazenly threatened to harm the Coalition’s national spokeswoman on January 19th.

The National Co-Spokesperson of the Coalition, Comrade Mark Adebayo, while addressing newsmen, frowned at what he referred to as police criminal conspiracy with suspects in the violent attack against the CUPP chieftain, which led to three deaths including Ugochinyere’s paternal uncle.

Adebayo alleged that the Police authorities are engaging in a cover-up scheme in a criminal incident of that magnitude in cahoots with the Imo State government.

According to Adebayo, “It is extremely baffling and disappointing that ten days after those hired terrorists carried out their horrific attacks against Ikenga, no arrests have been made despite overwhelming evidence as to who could have planned, sponsored and executed that carnage.

“Let us make it clear that the CUPP stands by our earlier allegation that the Imo State government is culpable in this death and destruction that occurred that fateful January 14 day at Akokwa. The plan was to assassinate Ikenga but God surpassed them.

“It is more disappointing and much painful that the Nigeria Police have refused to play their constitutional role of arresting the suspected sponsors of that crime despite establishing indubitable prima facie evidence against one Chinasa Nwaneri who openly threatened Ikenga that he would deal with him among other severe threats on phone.

“A petition to that effect was sent to the police authorities but without any action until that fatal arson was carried out and even till now, Chinasa Nwaneri, an aide to the Imo State Governor, who called Ikenga Ugochinyere on his phone to threaten his life and family days before the heinous attack, is still walking free and boasting about that he would not rest until Ikenga is finally silenced.

“A prima facie evidence of threat to life and property has been established against Mr Chinasa Nwaneri prior to the actual execution of the arson, murders and attempted assassination of Ikenga. No action was taken by the Police to prevent Chinasa from carrying out his threats and the Police have not deemed it fit to invite this suspected murderer and arsonist after he made true his threats.

“The CUPP suspects an attempt by the Police authorities at the highest levels to cover up these heinous crimes in cahoots with the Imo state government. This is especially as the Imo state governor, Hope Nzodinma has publicly claimed that he knows those who unleashed the terrorist attacks on Ikenga that claimed the lives of his supporters and his uncle.

“The governor claimed that he had security reports that revealed that a meeting was held with the purpose of carrying out the violent attacks against Ikenga before it happened but chose to do nothing about it. It is only an irresponsible or a criminally culpable governor who can do this.

“We challenge Governor Nzodinma to publish the names of those involved, dates and locations where the pre-attack meetings were held and to also explain why he didn’t take any action to forestall it if he didn’t know anything about it.”

The Co-Spokesperson of the Coalition maintained that despite the attack, “the coalition still remains confident that its spokesperson, Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere would win his House of Representatives election for Ideato Federal Constituency of Imo state on February 25, 2023 despite the carnage unleashed on him.”

However, the coalition was vehement in its insistence that, “should the IGP fail to act on the petition against Chinasa Nwaneri, he should either resign or be fired by Mr. President, who has pledged a level playing field for all in the coming elections,” Adebayo added.

Buhari lands in Lagos to open Lekki Deep Seaport, Imota Rice Mill, others

By
Shehu Danladi
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0

On a two-day trip to Lagos, President Muhammadu Buhari is there to commission the “Lagos Festival of Projects.”

At 3:33 p.m., the presidential plane landed down, and the president was welcomed by Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the governor of Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, and other members of the State Executive Council.

The President was also welcomed by the governors of the states of Ekiti and Ogun, Biodun Oyebanji and Dapo Abiodun, as well as the former governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, service chiefs, and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The Lagos State Cultural Troupe performed a grand entrance for President Buhari at the Presidential Wing of the Lagos International Airport.

He inspected the guard of honour at the Parade Ground before he flew out of the airport in a helicopter for commissioning of projects in some parts of Lagos State.

The projects to be commissioned by President Buhari during the two-day working visit are Lekki Deep Seaport, Lagos Rice Mill, Imota, 18.75killometers Eleko-Epe rigid pavement six lane Expressway, First Phase of the Blue Light Rail from Mile Two to Marina and the John Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History.

President Buhari will also commission a private project, MRS Lubricant, Apapa.

Lagos Assembly Seeks Upgrade Of Five General Hospitals To Tertiary Level

By
Roland Edet
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Five general hospitals in the state’s five divisions have been requested to be upgraded to tertiary level by members of the Lagos state House of Assembly.

The five general hospitals are those located in Badagry, Alimosho, Ikorodu, Epe, and Lagos Island.

After discussing the report provided by Hon. Olusola Sokunle, chairman of the House Committee on Health Services, the lawmakers passed the resolution on Monday.

In the report, the chairman stated that the committee visited general hospitals all around the state to gather information about which ones were appropriate for being raised to the tertiary level.

Sokunle said that the upgrading of the general hospitals would reduce the pressure witnessed by the facilities of the Lagos state University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), calling for the establishment of Renal and Neuro Department in the proposed five general hospitals.

He also called for the overhauling of the Primary Health Centres (PHCs) by the state government, adding that the local governments should intensify awareness and sensitisation about the usefulness of the centres in the Councils.

The Chairman explained that the land mass, high tech equipment and quality of the medical personnel were part of the consideration before the five general hospitals were chosen.

Debating the report, Hon. Wahab Jimoh (Apapa 2), observed that there was need to consider other general hospitals within the Lagos Island Division, saying that general hospital within the Lagos Mainland axis should be considered.

Jimoh argued that Lagos Island has been saturated with general hospitals that could attend to the medical needs of the people on the Island, adding that general hospitals in Surulere and Lagos Mainland could be considered for the upgrade.

The Chief Whip, Hon. Mojisola Meirada (Apapa 1), argued that aside the establishment of renal department in the upgraded general hospitals, there should be a trauma and bone department in each of them, saying that it would help in reducing the pressure on the Gbagada hospital trauma facility.

Meanwhile, Hon. Moshood Oshun ( Lagos Mainland 2), made case for the establishment of more general hospitals across the state, saying that instead of converting the five hospitals to tertiary level more could be established to allow easy accessibility by the residents.

Oshun argued that the funds that could be used to upgrade the hospitals could be used to establish new general hospitals in the local governments.

However, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, said that there was need to sustain the glory of the five general hospitals by upgrading them to tertiary level.
Obasa said that there was need to create synergy among general hospitals, saying that there was need to collate data to know whether there is need to establish Renal Specialist hospital to address renal diseases.

Two alleged rapists paraded in Ibadan for defiling minors

By
Shehu Danladi
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0

Two alleged rapists who are accused of defiling youngsters in their respective localities have been paraded in Ibadan.At the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Command Agodi Ibadan, the state capital of Oyo, the accused were paraded on Monday.The suspects’ names were given by the State Public Relations Officer of the Corps, DSC Oyindamola Okuneye, who briefed journalists on the development, as Tunde Kareem, age 33, from Ede, Osun State, a resident of Papa, Idi Osan Olodo road, Ibadan, and Amos Micheal, age 46, from Ikwo Local Government Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, who lives at RoadOyindamola maintained that Tunde Kareem, was arrested for defiling his 11-year-old daughter. While Amos Micheal defiling a minor aged 10 years on the 15th of January 2023 by taking her to a lonely road with his bike in the vicinity and using his finger to penetrate her till she was defiled.She said, “Amos used to go to the girl’s mother’s shop to drink locally made herbs and used the opportunity to get closer to the girl.””Tunde Kareem upon interrogation admitted to have had the carnal knowledge of his daughter once before his arrest on 17th January 2023.” Oyindamola said.Oyindamola however said that the state Corps Commandant, CC Adaralewa Micheal insisted that the corps will maintain its stand on zero tolerance for misuse of children and protection of girl children in the State. While speaking with journalists, Tunde Kareem denied the allegation of having canal knowledge of his daughter.He said, “this is the handiwork of my ex-wife, she is the one that reported me and levelled that such allegation against me because she want to the girl to be in her custody. I don’t rape her, she is my daughter, she is the one I’m hustling for, this is pure lie against me, I have remarried and I can’t leave my daughter for her.” In his words, Amos Micheal who was accused of defiling a minor confirmed to have touched the private part of the girl in question but denied raping her.He said, ” I don’t penetrate into her as I was accused of, but I touched her, I actually took her to a private place to do that while taking her to her mother who sells local herbs for us.” DSC Oyindamola said that, “both suspects pleaded guilty to the offense committed.” Stressing that the suspects would be charged to court immediately after the completion of their investigation.”

Lawyer contests Buhari’s authority to extend the tenure of the IGP

By
Roland Edet
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0

In order to prevent President Muhammadu Buhari from appointing the current Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba Alkali, to continue in office as of March 1, 2023, Maxwell Opara, a lawyer and rights activist with a base in Abuja, has filed a motion on notice before the Court of Appeal, Abuja.Opara’s motion asks the appeal court to rule on whether the IGP can continue in that position after he retires as a police officer.In particular, the Appellant/Applicant wants to stop the Respondents from continuing to flagrantly disregard established legal principles that are inscribed in various National Assembly statutes. Opara is referring to is Buhari, abusing the power of his office to contradict the standing law of the land which is that a non-serving police officer can not hold an office under the Nigeria Police Force, talk more of a very sensitive office such as the Inspector General Office. The Applicant holds the position of the law that, once the Alkali retires, a serving police officer who can serve as the Inspector General of Police, and as such the constitution must be protected from it being violated. the court held”The Courts must stand out strongly to protect the Constitution from the vagaries and impunity of those clamouring for power at all costs.”Your Lordship, the question of whether an application of this nature should be granted by this Honourable Court is a matter of discretion; same being an equitable relief. “In other words, this kind of application is not granted as a matter of course; neither does the court exercise its powers arbitrarily, but upon sufficient, correct and convincing reasons. Therefore, the applicant is praying the court to restrain the President from extending the tenure of IGP Usman Baba Alkali as whatever document he (Alkali) signs after March 1, would be a nullity.Opara, in a motion exparte, informed the court that he has a pending appeal on whether the President has the power to allow any occupant of the office of Inspector General of Police continue to stay in office after he is no longer a serving Police Officer.He said, while the appeal is pending and adjourned for hearing, the President announced his intention to allow the current occupant of the office of IGP to continue to occupy the office after he is no longer a serving Police Officer.While praying for urgent hearing of the matter by the appellate court to avoid destroying the subject matter, the lawyer said, in his affidavit in support of the motion for interlocutory injunction that he filed the suit that gave rise to the appeal at the Federal High Court, Abuja.He averred, in the affidavit that the trial court dismissed his suit in a judgement delivered on June 18, 2021. “That the appeal has been adjourned to February 16 for hearing and while the appeal is still pending and adjourned for hearing, the 1st respondent, (Buhari), through the Minister for Police Affairs announced that he intends to allow the current IGP, who will cease to be a serving Police Officer on March 2023 to continue to occupy the office of the IGP. END.

Buhari Says Bala Mohammed performed admirably in Bauchi

By
Gladys Phillip
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0

On Monday, President Muhammadu Buhari praised Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed for his effort to rebuild the state by making significant investments in infrastructural development.

When he paid the Emir of Bauchi, Dr. Rilwanu Sulaimanu Adamu, the customary homage, Muhammadu Buhari offered praise.

At the Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium in Bauchi, President Muhammadu Buhari attended the APC Presidential Rally.

Muhammadu Buhari congratulated the governor of Bauchi State for creating a fair playing field for political activities in the state and challenged politicians throughout the nation to play politics by the rules of the game.

Additionally, he valued the Emir and conventional institutions in the state for complementing government’s efforts towards promoting peaceful coexistence in their domains.

While receiving the President at the Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa International Airport, Bauchi and Palace of the Emir of Bauchi, Governor Bala Mohammed said that although the President was in the state for APC activities, he was honoured by the President’s commendation.

Bala Mohammed assured the President of his commitment to consolidate on the efforts put in place to ensure a peaceful and hitch-free 2023 general elections.

The Governor also commended the Federal Government for its sincere fight against insecurity and insurgency in the North East subregion saying that the area is gradually regaining its sanity and safety.

Those present in the company of the President were the Party’s Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his running mate, Kashim Shettima, APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu, the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, the Speaker House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, APC Governors, aspirants and supporters.

FIRS’ 2022 Collections Hits N10.1 Trillion, Highest In Tax History

By
Gladys Phillip
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0

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) reported that in 2022, the largest tax collection ever seen in its history, it collected over N10 trillion in tax revenue.

The figure was included in the “FIRS 2022 Performance Update” report, which was signed by the organization’s executive chairman, Mr. Muhammad Nami, and made available to the public on Monday following his briefing with President Muhammadu Buhari, according to a statement by Johannes Oluwatobi Wojuola, the special assistant to the executive chairman of FIRS on media and communication.

The report reads: “The FIRS, in the year 2022 collected a total of N10.1 trillion in both oil (N4.09 trillion) and non-oil (N5.96 trillion) revenues as against a target of N10.44 trillion.

“Companies Income Tax contributed N2.83 trillion; Value Added Tax N2.51 trillion; Electronic Money Transfer Levy N125.67 billion and Earmarked Taxes N353.69 billion.

“Non-oil taxes contributed 59% of the total collection in the year, while oil tax collection stood at 41% of total collection,” the report noted.

It is the first time that the FIRS will cross the 10-trillion Naira mark in tax revenue collection.

The Performance Update Report further clarified that included in the total revenue sum is the sum of N146.27 billion which is the total value of certificates issued by the Service to private investors and NNPC for road infrastructure under the Road Infrastructure Development Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme created by Executive Order No. 007 of 2019.

The report also stated that the N10.1 trillion is exclusive of tax waived on account of various tax incentives granted under the respective laws, which amounted to N1,805,040,163,008.

Providing perspective to this unprecedented tax collection, the FIRS noted in the Performance Update that the Muhammad Nami-led management upon assumption of office came up with a four-point focus, namely: administrative and operational restructuring; making the service customer-focused; creating a data-centric institution; and automation of administrative and operational processes.

It further noted that over the period of 2020 to 2022, the management had introduced reforms bordering around these four-point focus which were producing results.

“The reforms introduced at different times from 2020 are gradually yielding fruits. By the close of 2022, the Service had fully restructured the administration of the Service for maximum efficiency and achieved internal cohesion such that all functional units are working in unison towards the achievement of set goals.

“As a result of conducive environment created for staff, officers of the Service are pulling their weight on the global stage with international recognitions and awards;

“The Service had also automated most of the administrative and operational processes. A major leap was the full deployment of the TaxPro Max for end-to-end administration of taxes in June 2021. The module for the automated TCC went live 1st January 2023 while taxpayers had already downloaded over 1,000 TCCs this year without having to visit FIRS office,” the report read.

It also noted that the Service had operationalised its data mining and analysis system thereby allowing for data-backed taxpayer profiling.

Other reforms the Service introduced in this period focused on the detoxification of the tax environment by ridding it of mutual mistrust, negative tax morale, and tax evasion, through effective taxpayer education, open engagement with stakeholders and improved services.

It noted that it is courtesy these reforms, framed around the four-focus points that the Service was able to achieve this collection.

Mr. Muhammad Nami, Executive Chairman of the FIRS, commenting on the N10.1 trillion record tax collection achieved under his leadership stated that this was made possible through “dogged implementation of strategic reforms over the past two years; a renewed commitment by officers of the Service, accompanied with a boosted morale; as well as the innovative deployment of technology for automation of both tax administration and operational processes.

“This collection was possible through collaboration with our stakeholders, from our colleagues at the Executive branch of government, to the members of the judiciary, to our brothers and sisters at the National Assembly, as well as the tax advisory committee, professional bodies, unions, and most crucially our taxpayers.”

Speaking on the outlook for 2023, Mr. Nami stated that the Service would build on the current reforms, achieve full automation and continue to establish a resilient Service that would continue to provide sustainable tax revenue to fund the government.

“We intend to maintain, and even improve on the momentum in 2023,” he stated.

“We have peaked, but this is not certainly our peak. In fact, my hope is that this would be the least sum the Service would ever collect going forward.

“Our goal is to identify more areas where we can improve on in the delivery and efficiency of our collection; and plug loopholes, while deploying innovative reforms in data and artificial intelligence.

“Ultimately, we believe that the FIRS can shoulder the responsibility of providing revenue needed for the governments across the Federation to cater for the needs of the Nigerian people through taxes.

“This is feasible once we get the much-desired support from the three tiers and arms of government, as well as all stakeholders.”

The FIRS appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari for his support, as well as the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed and the Minister of State, Mr. Clem Agba.

“FIRS Management uses this medium to commend all patriotic taxpayers who paid their taxes correctly, stakeholders for their support, and officers of the Service for their dedication to duty.

“The Service equally owes its achievements in 2022 to effective leadership of the Honourable Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning – Mrs Zainab Ahmed, her brother, the Minister of State – Mr Clem Agba, members of the National Assembly and the fatherly support of the President and Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria – Muhammadu Buhari.”

This is the second consecutive year that the Service will be recording unprecedented tax collection.

In 2021, the Service achieved a record tax collection of N6.405 trillion, being over hundred percent of its collection target for the year, as well as the first time that the Service will cross the six trillion mark.

In 2022, building on the success of the preceding year, the Service achieved a record collection of N10.1 trillion, being over 96% of its collection target for the year, and the first time the Service will cross the ten trillion mark.

This collection represents an over one hundred percent leap from the tax collected by the Service in 2020 the first year of the current management of the Service.

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