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Bill To Establish Nigerian Coast Guard Scales Second Reading In Senate
A bill to establish the Nigerian Coast Guard has scaled second reading in the Senate.
This followed the presentation of the lead debate on the general principles of the bill by the sponsor, Sen. Wasiu Eshilokun (APC- Lagos) during plenary on Tuesday.
Leading the debate, Eshilokun said that the bill sought to establish the Nigerian Coast Guard to be charged with the responsibility of securing maritime zones within Nigeria.
He said that the bill was also aimed at maintaining a state of readiness as a specialised service in support of the Nigerian Navy in war situations.
The senator added that the overriding intent of the bill was to enact legislation that sought to contribute to the country’s security, with a special focus on the country’s maritime interests and regional coastal security.
He said that it was also to ensure adherence to global norms and standards as they relate to maritime security.
“It is to assist in the enforcement of all relevant laws within the maritime zones in the jurisdiction of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“It is also to administer and enforce regulations for the preservation of lives and property within the maritime zones of Nigeria,” he stated.
Eshilokun said that the introduction of the proposed legislation at this point in time was apt and strategic as the current administration, in line with its development agenda, was expanding all economic scope and space for maximum national benefits.
“In this regard, the maritime environment offers a deluge of opportunities which can be explored to contribute to the diversification policy of the Federal Government.
“Hence the need to put all modalities in place to secure this viable sector of our economy,” the lawmaker said.
Contributing, Sen. Victor Umeh (LP-Anambra) said, “we need our coast guards; let their duties be properly defined so that customs, navy, anybody will do its own work as assigned to it by the act.”
Sen. Ireti Kingibe (LP-FCT) expressed support to the bill, saying there could not be a viable maritime economy without having coast guards.
“The work of the coast guards is different. They monitor our waterways. Annually, we lose N35 billion to illegal fishing. That can be stopped with coast guards,” she said.
Sen. Sunday Karimi (APC-Kogi) said that “with the way terrorism is going on all over the world, with the high risk of waterways, coast guard is something that is urgently needed.”
Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, who presided over the plenary, said that the bill would ensure that Nigeria’s territorial integrity was protected.
“This will also ensure that our defence is not jeopardised at the naval side,” he said.
Barau, thereafter, referred the bill to the Senate Committee on Marine Transport for further legislative actions and to report back in four weeks.
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;
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
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
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