News

Reps Urge FG To Investigate Financial Activities Of Bandits, Use of Telecoms Network

Published

1 month ago

October 8, 2024

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy to investigate the use of telecommunications networks and financial systems by bandits to facilitate ransom payments, and to work closely with law enforcement to block such channels of communication and financial transactions used by criminals.

This was sequel to the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved by Rep. Shehu Dalhatu, member representing Faskari/Kankara/Sabuwa Federal Constituency of Katsina State on Tuesday at plenary.

Rep. Dalhatu decried the deteriorating banditry acts to the point where bandits now openly provide bank account details for ransom payments to be made for kidnapped victims.

According to the lawmaker, this audacious act shows not only the impunity with which those criminals operate but also raised significant concerns about the security of the telecommunications and financial systems in the country, adding that evidence of such ransom demands was readily available, including on personal devices, further proving the gravity of the situation.

He asserted that in the past four months, there has not been a 48-hour period without a bandit attack in the Faskari/Kankara/Sabuwa federal constituency, even as he noted that last week Friday, armed bandits ambushed members of the Katsina State Community Watch Corps, along the Yankara-Faskari road, killing six members, wounding two others, and seizing their weapons.

According to Dalhatu, just two days later, on Sunday the bandits targeted innocent people at Balan Dawa village, killing three and kidnapping some women while the violence escalated again on Monday, when bandits attacked the Funtua-Gusau road, killing one person and kidnapping an unspecified number of commuters.

He expressed concern that: “the situation has deteriorated to the point where bandits now openly provide bank account details for ransom payments to be made for kidnapped victims.

“Despite previous efforts by government agencies and the deployment of security personnel, banditry in these areas has persisted, signaling that current strategies are inadequate.

“The local communities have made brave attempts to protect themselves through initiatives such as the Vigilantes, but they are severely outmatched by the heavily armed bandits.”

Dalhatu called on security agencies to urgently intensify efforts towards rescuing all those affected by those criminals while the Nigerian Army and Nigerian Police Force should immediately reinforce security measures by deploying additional personnel to the Constituency for the protection of lives and property.

The House adopted the motion and referred it to the committees on Defence, Army, Police and National security for further legislative action.

The lawmakers also observed a minute silence in honour of those killed by the banditry acts and condoled relatives while it sympathised with all those affected.

News

USAID Provides $22 Million to Support Resilience and Food Security in Madagascar

Published

4 minutes ago

November 18, 2024

Austin Ojomah

The United States, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), is providing more than $22 million in additional assistance to build resilience and improve food security for Madagascar’s most vulnerable people.

The funding, representing the first year of two new five-year resilience and food security projects, will help our partners reach up to 88,000 extremely poor and marginalized households in the Androy, Anosy, and Atsimo Atsinanana regions of Madagascar. This assistance, which will be implemented by consortiums led by USAID partners Catholic Relief Services and Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture, will support marginalized households to build sustainable livelihoods, develop financial capital, and increase their savings and assets. It will also support households to access existing health, nutrition, and water, sanitation, and hygiene services, and bolster households’ capacity to withstand future shocks and stresses.

This support builds on USAID’s long standing emergency programming in Madagascar to respond to recurrent disasters like drought and cyclones, as well as efforts to strengthen emergency response and increase resilience in the face of these disasters. The United States has provided nearly $103 million for humanitarian assistance in Madagascar in Fiscal Year 2024 and remains committed to supporting the people of Madagascar.

News

Shipping firm offer US citizens four- year trip to avoid Trump’s 2nd term

Published

9 minutes ago

November 18, 2024

Austin Ojomah

A Florida-based cruise company, Villa Vie Residences, is offering Americans an unconventional way to “escape” from Donald Trump’s second term as United States President.

The Independent reported on Monday that the company has unveiled its Tour La Vie programme, allowing passengers to embark on a global adventure spanning four years, visiting over 140 countries without stepping foot in the US.

The Villa Vie Odyssey offers several package options, including a one-year “Escape from Reality” cruise, a two-year “Mid-Term Selection” voyage, a three-year “Everywhere but Home” option, and the four-year “Skip Forward” trip.

The founder and CEO of Villa Vie Residences, Mikael Petterson, explained that the program was not politically motivated but aimed at providing an escape for those feeling unsettled.

“We came up with this marketing campaign before we even knew who would win. Regardless of who would have won, you would have half of the population upset,” Petterson told Newsweek.

He added, “Quite frankly, we don’t have a political view one way or the other. We just wanted to give people who feel threatened to have a way to get out.”

Sky News quoted the founder as saying, “If you’re looking for an escape… there is no better place than on a ship, right, where you can wake up every day to a new backyard and get everything you need taken care of.”

Passengers will enjoy amenities including food, drinks, WiFi, medical visits, weekly housekeeping, and bi-weekly laundry services.

Prices start at just under $40,000 per year, with a full four-year journey costing up to $320,000 for a double-occupancy cabin. Alcohol is included at dinner, though other drinks incur extra charges.

Sky News reports that the ship, which accommodates up to 600 residents, is already sailing and allows guests to join at various ports.

It was also reported that recently, the Villa Vie Odyssey faced a four-month delay in Belfast due to necessary repairs.

News

Nigeria Struggles With 6% Tax GDP Ratio – Speaker Abbas

Published

1 hour ago

November 18, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

…say Reps has not take any definitive position on tax reform bills

….as presidency say bills not designed against any region

By Gloria Ikibah

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Abbas Tajudeen, has expressed concerns over Nigeria’s tax-to-GDP ratio, which currently stands at a mere 6 per cent.

The Speaker noted that this figure was significantly below the global average and the World Bank’s recommended minimum benchmark of 15 per cent necessary for sustainable development, despite Nigeria being Africa’s largest economy.

Abbas stated this at an interactive session on Tax Reform Bills at the National Assembly Complex on Monday in Abuja.

He stated, “Nigeria, despite being Africa’s largest economy, struggles with a tax-to-GDP ratio of just 6 per cent, far below the global average and the World Bank’s minimum benchmark of 15 per cent for sustainable development. This is a challenge we must address if we are to reduce our reliance on debt financing, ensure fiscal stability, and secure our future as a nation.”

The Speaker highlighted the importance of the proposed tax reforms in diversifying Nigeria’s revenue base, ensuring equity, and fostering an environment conducive to investment and innovation.

“The proposed tax reform bills aim to diversify our revenue base, promote equity, and foster an enabling environment for investment and innovation. However, as representatives of the people, we must approach these reforms thoughtfully, understanding their potential implications for every segment of society.

Taxes should be fair, transparent, and justifiable, balancing the need for public revenue with the burdens they impose on individuals and businesses”, Abbas added.

Acknowledging public concerns and debates surrounding the bills, Speaker Abbas emphasized the need for thorough deliberation and clarification of contentious issues.

“The controversies surrounding these bills, whether in the media, civil society, or among governance stakeholders, are a reflection of their importance.

Such debates are healthy and necessary in a democracy, and this session aims to channel those discussions into productive outcomes. It is critical that we listen to diverse perspectives, ask probing questions, and seek clarity on any unclear provisions,” he stated.

He reassured Nigerians that the House has not yet adopted a position on the bills and is committed to ensuring that the final legislation serves the best interests of the nation. “The House has not yet taken a definitive position on these bills. Our role is to scrutinise them thoroughly, ensuring they align with the best interests of our constituents and the nation at large. We owe this duty to Nigerians,” he said.

The Speaker also stressed the importance of balancing national interests with the needs of citizens, reiterating that “Taxes should be fair, transparent, and justifiable, balancing the need for public revenue with the burdens they impose on individuals and businesses.”

Rep. Abbas underscored the significance of pre-legislative scrutiny as a vital parliamentary practice to resolve ambiguities and ensure alignment with constitutional provisions, and described the interactive session as an opportunity for lawmakers to engage with experts and stakeholders to better understand the potential implications of the proposed reforms.

Addressing the session, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, clarified that the proposed tax reform bills were not designed to undermine or marginalize any region.

Iyedele emphasized that the reforms aim to enhance efficiency and boost revenue allocation to states based on consumption patterns.

He explained, “Currently, under Section 40 of the VAT Act, VAT revenue is allocated 15 per cent to the Federal Government, 50 per cent to the States and FCT, and 35 per cent to Local Governments. There is no negative thinking about any region or anything.”

Oyedele outlined key aspects of the reforms, which include amendments to income tax laws to support remote work opportunities, particularly in the global business process outsourcing sector.

Other provisions include tax exemptions for small businesses with an annual turnover of N50 million or less, alongside initiatives aimed at boosting exports and promoting the digital economy to create more opportunities for Nigerian youths.