Connect with us

News

Reps Orders JAMB to Remit N3bn to FG Consolidated Revenue Fund

Published

on

…criticize board for ignoring fiscal responsibility letters
By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has instructed the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to remit the sum of  N3,602,605,277 to the Federal Government’s Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) in accordance with demands made by the Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC).
This directive was issued during the committee’s resumed hearing on Monday, after the FRC brought JAMB before the committee over issues related to its operating surplus.
The Chairman of PAC, Rep. Bamidele Salam, addressed the matter following claims by the FRC that JAMB had failed to respond to correspondence regarding its financial obligations.
According to Mr. Bello Aliyu, representing the FRC, the agency had informed JAMB about its liabilities, which totaled N390,725,324 in 2021. After receiving JAMB’s audited financial statement for 2022, the FRC recalculated the liabilities to be N3,602,605,277 and notified JAMB of this in March 2024, with a reminder sent on 31st August 2024. Aliyu added that JAMB had not **Reps Committee Orders JAMB to Remit N3bn to FG CRF, Criticizes Board for Ignoring Fiscal Responsibility Letters**

The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has instructed the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to remit N3,602,605,277 to the Federal Government’s Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) in accordance with demands made by the Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC). This directive was issued during the committee’s opening hearing on Monday, after the FRC brought JAMB before the committee over issues related to its operating surplus.
The PAC, chaired by Rep. Bamidele Salam, addressed the matter following claims by the FRC that JAMB had failed to respond to correspondence regarding its financial obligations.
According to Mr. Bello Aliyu, representing the FRC, the agency had informed JAMB about its liabilities, which totaled N390,725,324 in 2021. After receiving JAMB’s audited financial statement for 2022, the FRC recalculated the liabilities to be N3,602,605,277 and notified JAMB of this in March 2024, with a reminder sent on 31st August 2024
Aliyu stated that JAMB had not responded to any of these letters.
In response to these allegations, JAMB’s Director of Finance and Administration, Mufutau Bello, explained that the difference in figures stemmed from the FRC’s attempt to increase JAMB’s remittance rate from 25% to 50%.
Bello noted that, since 2019, JAMB had reduced its registration fee from N5,000 to N3,500 to benefit Nigerians. He emphasized that JAMB has consistently adhered to the 25% remittance rate and has not increased any fees in the last eight years.
According to the DFA, the Accountant General had approved this 25% rate, which JAMB has followed, but the FRC now insists on 50%.
In his remarks, the PAC Chairman emphasized that remittance rules are determined by law and not subject to personal interpretation.
He questioned how the discrepancy between the 25% and 50% remittance arose and what the law specifically dictates regarding JAMB’s obligations.
In response, the FRC representative clarified that, under the Fiscal Responsibility Act, all listed agencies are required to remit 80% of their operating surplus. However, the 2021 Finance Act categorized agencies as fully funded, partially funded, or self-funded. JAMB falls under the partially funded category, meaning it can only use 50% of its internally generated revenue (IGR) for its operations and must remit the remaining 50% to the government’s sub-recurrent account.
At the end of the year, a reconciliation determines whether the actual liability should be 80% or 20%, with the higher amount becoming the agency’s final obligation. Based on this rule, the FRC computed JAMB’s liability at 50% of its gross revenue”, he explained.
The committee expressed frustration over JAMB’s failure to respond to the FRC’s letters and unanimously ordered the board to remit the N3,602,605,277 to the CRF within 30 days, providing evidence of the payment.
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

Immigration raises alarm over high number of irregular migration in Nigeria

Published

on

The Edo State Controller of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Martins Moye, has raised the alarm over the increasing number of irregular migrants entering Nigeria.

Moye raised the alarm at the 2024 Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, enlightenment campaign against irregular migration in Benin, Edo State capital.

He underscored the need for public awareness to curb irregular migration.

A facilitator from NIS headquarters in Abuja, David Amanahu, highlighted Edo State’s historical role in irregular migration.

Advertisement

According to him, due to recent efforts by the Edo State Command, the state has improved in the national ranking on irregular migration.

“The positive news is that Edo State is no longer ranked number one in irregular migration.

“Credit goes to the dedicated team in Edo who worked tirelessly to improve the situation,” Amanahu stated.

Amanahu, while delivering a message from the Controller-General of Immigration, Kemi Nandap, noted that the NIS is now more focused than ever on border management and migration issues.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

News

Boundary disputes responsible for insecurity in coastal states – Oborevwori

Published

on

Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta has said that boundary disputes were also responsible for the rising spate of insecurity, deaths, violence and retarded progress in the country.

The governor stated this while addressing an audience at a one-day workshop for the creation of a platform for Nigeria’s coastal states and local government areas, held at the Government House, Asaba.

The workshop has the theme, “Towards a Secure, Peaceful and Prosperous Borders,” the News Agency of Nigeria reports.

There are many crises in the country over border issues, with Delta State having its fair share.

Advertisement

The boundary crisis between the Okuama community in the Ughelli South Local Government Area and the Okoloba community in the Bomadi Local Government Area, which had claimed many lives, is being resolved by the government.

Speaking at the workshop, the governor said so many lives had been lost to boundary disputes as he called on the National Boundary Commission and other stakeholders to work assiduously in resolving such disputes in the country.

He described the theme as apt, adding that boundary dispute was an ancient and modern disease of humanity.

He said right from the colonial days, Nigeria had been plagued by boundary disputes, which had disastrous and destabilising consequences for the people.

Advertisement

“There is scarcely any state in Nigeria that has not been involved in a boundary dispute with its neighbours, which often results in displacement, death, and destruction.

“Reports indicate that between January 2018 and August 2022; 676 people were killed in various communal and boundary clashes in Nigeria.

“The causes of these disputes are traceable to land ownership, community pride, ancient or colonial boundaries, and socio-cultural factors.

“In Delta State, it is safe to say that at least 80 per cent of boundary disputes revolve around land use, either for farming, mining, and other purposes of economic significance.

Advertisement

“The resultant clashes often leave in their trail a chunk of internally displaced persons with the implication this has for their safety and wellbeing.

“As we all know, the living conditions in IDP camps are unsanitary and inevitably constitute environmental hazards,” he said.

Oborevwori charged the National Boundary Commission to work harder in resolving boundary disputes across the country.

“As the body responsible for resolving boundary disputes in Nigeria, the National Boundary Commission is critical to the peace, security, and prosperity of our communities.

Advertisement

“It is incumbent on it to embark on enlightenment and sensitisation programmes to educate the people on the importance of respecting boundaries.

“It must also properly investigate cases of boundary disputes. In discharging this vital responsibility, officials of the Commission must demonstrate the highest levels of objectivity, neutrality, and integrity to instil confidence and elicit the goodwill of the people.

“Conversations break down fast once there is a perception of favouritism or nepotism on the part of those who are supposed to be impartial arbiters,” he said.

He added, “It goes without saying that an effective conflict resolution mechanism is critical for maintaining national security.

Advertisement

“Hence, there is a need for strong political will on the part of the government to implement recommendations that will resolve disputes amicably, and prevent future border disputes.

“With enhanced peace and security at the core of our MORE agenda, we are committed to partnering with the Commission to discharge its functions effectively for a secure, peaceful, and prosperous Nigeria.”

In his welcome remarks, the Deputy Governor, Monday Onyeme, expressed delight that the African Union Border Governance Strategy would look into good border governance and the attainment of sustainable development.

Onyeme, who doubles as the Chairman of the State Boundary Commission, urged the African Union to sustain the tempo to ensure the harmonisation of all grey areas along the boundary communities.

Advertisement

He observed that the European colonisers arbitrarily, without due regard to the ethnic homogeneity of many African groups, forced Africans to belong to different nations, while diverse heterogeneous communities were hurriedly bundled into a single nation with distinct boundaries.

On their part, the deputy governors of Bayelsa and Rivers states, Lawrence Egwhrudjakpor and Prof Ngozi Odu, respectively, called on relevant authorities to discuss boundary issues often, to enthrone peace in the country.

Earlier, the Director-General of the National Boundaries Commission, Mr Adamu Adaji, said the workshop was primarily designed to engage Nigeria’s coastal states, local government areas and traditional rulers on effective border governance in Nigeria.

The NAN reports that stakeholders, including some traditional rulers from the South-West and South-South states, attended the event.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

News

Obaseki embarks on post-tenure medical vacation

Published

on

The immediate-past governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has proceeded on vacation.

This is for him to rest and undergo a medical check-up, after a successful two-term as governor of the state.

This was disclosed in a statement by his media adviser, Crusoe Osagie, on Wednesday.

The former governor completed his two-term administration on November 11, 2024, and a new governor, Monday Okpebholo, was sworn in on Tuesday, November 12, 2024.

Advertisement

Osagie said, “Following the completion of his second term, a former Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has proceeded on vacation to rest and undergo a medical check-up.

“Obaseki, once again, expressed his appreciation to God Almighty, the people of Edo State and Nigeria for the opportunity to serve.

“He urged all Edo people both at home and in the diaspora to continue to be hopeful and pray for the peace, progress and prosperity of our state and Nigeria.”

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2024 Naija Blitz News