News

Reps Orders JAMB to Remit N3bn to FG Consolidated Revenue Fund

Published

3 months ago

September 10, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

…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.

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.

News

Senator Abaribe welcomes arrest of Simon Ekpa

Published

2 hours ago

November 26, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The lawmaker representing Abia South, Senator Abaribe, said the arrest of separatist agitator Simon Ekpa in Finland is a welcome development.

The lawmaker stated that the arrest would deter purveyors of violence in the southeast region from continuing the mayhem being unleashed in the region.

According to him, Ekpa and his supporters are hiding behind the Biafra agitation to perpetrate crimes in the region.

In an interview with Channels TV, Abaribe said: “The arrest of Simon Ekpa is something that is very very welcome because this will tell all those people at home, who are purveyors of violence and instigated by Simon Ekpa that he actually said that he is just a content creator and not a serious person.

“We have always said that his activities in South East are totally wrong and not what Ndigbo stands for.

“The quest by the IPOB seeking non-violence referendum was turned by all these criminals. They are using IPOB to cause mayhem in the South-East.”

News

Nigerian military kills several IPOB members, recovers bombs, pump-action guns

Published

2 hours ago

November 26, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Nigerian military said its troops of Operation Udo Ka have neutralised several suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB and its security wing, the Eastern Security Network, ESN, in Imo State.

The Nigerian Army Headquarters stated this in a post on its official Facebook page on Monday.

The post said the operation was carried out along the Ekeututu–Ihiteunansa Road in Orsu Local Government Area of the state.

According to the post: “During the operation, the troops encountered suspected IPOB/ESN members. In the ensuing engagement, several of the suspected criminals were neutralized.

“Captured items included pump-action guns, improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and IED-making materials, as well as charms.

“The Acting Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General OO Oluyede, commended the troops for their gallantry and urged them to sustain their efforts in eliminating criminal elements from their hideouts.

“He also reassured the peace-loving people of the South East to carry on with their daily activities without fear.”

News

Few Months After Retirement From Winners Chapel, Bishop David Abioye Launches New Ministry, Gives Reasons

Published

2 hours ago

November 26, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Bishop David Abioye has explained why he’s setting up his own ministry after leaving the Living Faith Church Worldwide, also known as Winners Chapel.

This is coming just after retirement from office as Vice President of Living Faith Church worldwide.

The revered cleric unveiled plans for a new spiritual platform titled Hour of Revival. The maiden edition of the Hour of Revival took place on Saturday at the Velodrome of the National Stadium in Abuja, drawing a large crowd of participants from diverse backgrounds.

Addressing the attendees, Bishop Abioye emphasized that the initiative was a divine directive.

Bishop Abioye further clarified that the revival platform is not his personal project but an ordained mission by God.

He called on participants to embrace personal revival as a pathway to corporate revival, expressing his hope that everyone in attendance would be transformed into fire-catchers and fire-spreaders.

The Hour of Revival, which is open to both saved and unsaved individuals, serves as an interdenominational prayer platform to rekindle spiritual fire and inspire personal and collective renewal.