News

Reps To Make Adequate Budgetary Provision For Dasin Hausa Dam In 2025 Appropriation

Published

20 hours ago

October 15, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

… direct ministries to works, water resources to expedite completion

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has directed the Federal Ministries of Water Resources and Works to expedite the completion of the Dasin Hausa Dam in Adamawa State, which will act as a buffer and help to absorb excess water released from the Lagdo Dam and the rehabilitation of critical infrastructure in flood-prone areas.

The House also mandate its committee on finance to make adequate budgetary provision for the Dasin Hausa Dam in the 2025 appropriation.

The House also urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), in collaboration with State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMASs), to henceforth enhance early warning systems and improve evacuation and relief efforts for communities in flood-prone areas prior to the event.

These resolution was sequel to the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance by the House Minority Leader, Rep. Kingsley Chinda on the “URGENT NEED TO INVESTIGATE THE RECURRENT FLOODING DUE TO THE OPENING OF THE LAGDO DAM”, on Tuesday at plenary.

Debating the motion, tha lawmaker expressed concern that the Lagdo Dam, located on the Benue River in northern Cameroon, was built in 1982 primarily for irrigation and electricity generation.

According to Chinda, “every year, during the rainy season, the dam operators in Cameroon release excess water to prevent overflow, which inevitably flows downstream into Nigeria, causing significant flooding in states along the river, including Borno, Adamawa, Benue, Taraba, Kogi, and beyond”.

“Disturbed by the recurrent loss of lives, displacement of communities, destruction of farmlands, livestock, and homes, and damage to critical infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, schools, and healthcare facilities, as a result of this flooding.

“Mindful that despite early warnings by the Nigerian authorities about the release of water from the Lagdo Dam, many communities remain unprepared and are left vulnerable to the devastating impacts of the floods.

“Aware that while the construction of a buffer dam, the proposed Dasin Hausa Dam in Adamawa State, was agreed upon in principle between Nigeria and Cameroon to help contain the excess water from the Lagdo Dam, this project has remained stalled for years due to funding and bureaucratic delays”, the motion reads in part.

He therefore said there is the urgent need for the Federal Government to develop long-term solutions to mitigate the impact of the annual flooding and to protect vulnerable communities along the River Benue and Niger basins.

“Worried that unless swift actions are taken to engage relevant stakeholders, both within and outside Nigeria, to mitigate these annual disasters and to provide lasting solutions for affected communities, the sitation will persist annually with each year worse than the former, thus diminishing the confidence of the people in the leaders”, he added.

The House unanimously adopted the motion and directed the Federal Ministry of Environment to undertake a comprehensive study of the impact of climate change and the Lagdo Dam’s annual release on Nigeria’s riverine communities, and to develop an actionable flood management plan to protect lives and properties.

The House also mandated the Nigerian-Cameroon Friendship Group to investigate the Nigerian-Cameroon arrangement/agreement on the Lagdo dam and mitigation measures therein and advise the House within 2 weeks for further legislative action.

News

WATCH Gov Sanwo-Olu turns conductor at train station

Published

5 mins ago

October 16, 2024

Naijablitznews

By Mario Deepromoter

A video clip showing Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu conducting activities at the Red Line Train Service.

It’s indeed ‘Eko oni baje’ fully loading in centre of excellence.

Kudos to LASG!

Watch clip below;

News

Tax Reforms: No cause for alarm, FIRS assures Nigerians

Published

34 mins ago

October 16, 2024

Naijablitznews

By Mario Deepromoter

The chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Zacch Adedeji, has allayed the fears of Nigerians on the possible introduction of new taxes through proposed tax reform laws.

Mr Adedeji, during an interactive session with members of the Senate Committee on Finance in Abuja on Tuesday, assured Nigerians that the tax reform laws would not entail the introduction of new taxes or an increase in the already existing ones.

“Tax reform will not introduce any tax or increase the percentage of the existing ones, but it will reduce the number of taxes being paid by Nigerians.

“No agency will be merged in the process of carrying out the reform, and no job will be taken from anybody.

“The tax reform basically seeks to increase the simplicity and efficiency of tax administration in Nigeria,” he said.

Mr Adedeji said there were four executive bills already forwarded to both chambers of the National Assembly to legalise the reform.

According to him, the bills include the Nigeria Tax Bill, Nigeria Tax Administration Act (amendment) bill, Nigeria Revenue Service bill, and Joint Revenue Board (establishment ) bill.

Mr Adedeji said the four bills, when passed, would, among others, help to harmonise the multiple tax laws in the country.

“They will drive efficiency and modernisation, simplify tax laws and ensure synergy among the agencies involved.

“The bills will also increase efficiency and effectiveness in government savings, promote transparency and integrity in revenue collection, align with international standards and broaden Nigeria’s tax base,” he said.

When asked why FIRS, as contained in one of the bills, would be changed to Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), Mr Adedeji said the present name of the agency did not cover the scope of its services.

“Like the Value Added Tax (VAT), 85 per cent are remitted to states while the federal government gets the remaining 15 per cent,” he said.

In his remarks, the committee chairman, Sani Musa, said the purpose of the interactive session was for the FIRS to update the committee on what the tax reform bills were aiming at.

He commended the FIRS boss for meeting the revenue targets set in the fiscal year, even as he urged him to go beyond the target.

Source: ibomfocus

News

Oyedepo Bombs netizns over Abioye, Aremu’s retirement, Says It’s none of your biz

Published

39 mins ago

October 16, 2024

Naijablitznews

By Mario Deepromoter

Founder of Living Faith Church, Bishop David Oyedepo, has blasted those criticizing the church’s decision over change of leadership to mind their business.

Bishop Oyedepo said critics should refrain from questioning the decision to retire some of his assistant pastors.

Nigerians have been criticizing Oyedepo over the retirement of his two Vice Presidents, Bishops Thomas Aremu and David Abioye.

Both clergymen would be retiring after serving three and four decades in the ministry.

Their retirement was said to be in line with the operational guidelines of the church.

However, Oyedepo faulted the criticism that greeted the church’s decision.

Delivering a sermon at the valedictory service for Bishop Aremu at Winners Chapel, Orita Bashorun, on Tuesday, Oyedepo revealed that the church’s Administrative Policy of 1998 was reviewed in 2001, while The Mandate of 2012 was revised in 2024, stressing that the ministry operates by divine order.

He said, “My advice to commentators is to study to be quiet and mind your business. It is wisdom to learn what is working and find out what makes it work. Everything works here.”

Quoting the Bible in Genesis 49:26, Bishop Oyedepo stated that no one has an inheritance in a teacher or pastor.

He encouraged him to maintain a mindset focused on growth, saying, “There’s no such thing as the best today or tomorrow; what matters is your pursuit of God.”

Oyedepo urged Aremu to remain connected for the continued flow of grace, advising him not to be distracted by baseless criticism.

Source: ibomfocus