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Nigeria: Reps Investigation Of Tax Waivers To Multi-Nationals Aimed At Protecting Nigerians – Speaker Dogara

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Yakubu Dogara
Yakubu Dogara, Speaker, Nigeria's House of Reps
Yakubu Dogara
Yakubu Dogara, Speaker, Nigeria’s House of Reps

 

By Joseph Edegbo

The House of Representatives’ investigation into incentives/waivers granted to multi-national corporations is aimed at ensuring that Nigeria is not short-changed from benefits derivable from foreign direct investment, Speaker Yakubu Dogara, has said.
Speaking at the opening of an investigative hearing organised by the House Joint Committee on Finance and Public Accounts at the National Assembly Complex on Tuesday, Dogara said this will go a long way in avoiding short-changing the nation in terms of the tax, employment opportunities and such other benefits derivable from FDI.
He stated, “The overall aim of this investigation is to address anomalies that may impede the operations of the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy in the country.  We in the Parliament are desirous to see a new vista of competitive, transparent and efficient FDI system.
“We believe that a well-managed FDI policy will boost technology, skills and expertise transfer, which will in turn spur growth and development. Japan and South Korea are two well-known countries that have thrived through FDI.  Nigeria cannot be an exception if we get our acts right.
“It is imperative to ensure that in granting incentives/waivers to multi-national corporations, the interest of the country is made paramount. This will go a long way in avoiding short-changing the nation in terms of the tax, employment opportunities and such other benefits derivable from FDI.”
Hon Dogara also explained that the House of Representatives is not oblivious of the invaluable contributions of foreign investments to the nation’s economy, especially at this crucial period when the country has just exited from recession.
“A better inflow of foreign investment, which is one of the goals of the nation’s Economic Recovery and Growth Programme (ERGP), will certainly enhance the success of our recovery efforts.
“Let me use this opportunity to express the appreciation of the Nigerian Parliament to our international business and development partners for their continued support and contributions to the economic development of our country. I urge all of them to always deploy their development assistance and go about their legitimate businesses in a manner that is in tandem with our national policies, as well as the needs and benefits of the people of Nigeria,” he added.
The Speaker said he was of the belief that the findings of the investigation will assist the country in knowing how to improve on the management of our FDI, block leakages and ensure that acceptable procedures are strictly followed.

Nigeria: Maritime Safety Key To Economic Growth – Speaker Dogara

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Africaprimenews
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Yakubu-Dogara
Speaker, Nigeria's House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara
Yakubu-Dogara
Speaker, Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara

 

Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has said maritime safety is key to economic growth, especially in light of the huge contributions made by the sector to economic development.

He said this at a public hearing by the House Committee on Maritime Safety, Education and Administration on a bill seeking to establish the Maritime Security Agency.
Speaking to members of the committee and stakeholders in the maritime sector, Dogara stressed the importance of the maritime sector to revenue generation in the country and highlighted the importance of the Bill being considered.
“You will agree with me that the Maritime Sector is key to the success of the Federal Government’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) that was launched in March, this year.  This is because a lot of revenue needed to revamp our economy can easily leak away if our Maritime environments are not properly managed or policed.  To this end, the proposed Bill seeks to establish an Agency charged with the mandate to provide maritime security and communication in our maritime region as a separate entity from NIMASA.  This is to further fortify the security arrangements in the Sector.
It is pertinent to note that Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) was established in 2007 following the passage of the NIMASA Act No 17 of 2007 by the National Assembly, which saddles the Agency with the Promotion of Maritime Safety and Security and, indeed, the protection of marine environment among others.  In an effort to curb the menace and recurring security issues on our maritime domain, NIMASA was mandated to take up a primary role and finance a new Maritime Security Architecture project of the Federal government.”
This was also as he acknowledged efforts made by NIMASA so far, and cooperation with the Nigerian Navy.
“I have been made to realize that the Agency has stepped-up significantly the deployment of satellite surveillance Infrastructure to enable the Agency monitor shipping activities and the marine environment in real time for safety, security and administration of the maritime domain of the Nation. This package essentially exposes all illicit activities of operators while also aiding the Agency in providing the required assistance in the event of maritime distress call.  It is note-worthy that the Nigerian Navy also compliments the efforts of NIMASA in ensuring that our territorial waterways are secured and free from criminal activities.”
He further stated that subjecting the bill to public discourse is necessary, especially as there are concerns about duplication and additional expenditure incurred in setting up new agencies.
“In view of these facts, it has become very imperative to subject this Bill to public discourse, considering the obvious facts that the Nation is grappling with the shrinking of the already lean resources available for delivering on core social infrastructure.  This is more so, as some observers have argued that establishing another agency charged with same mandate as NIMASA and Nigerian Navy will ultimately translate to duplication of functions in an era when Government is finding ways to reduce the cost of administering our bureaucracy.”
The Speaker revealed that the House takes matters relating to the maritime sector very seriously, as five of the 154 bills so far passed by the House are targeted at strengthening the sector. The bills are; Nigeria Maritime University, Okerenkoko Bill, the National Transport Commission Bill, Coastal & Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Amendment Bill, National Inland Waterways (Amendment) Bill, and the Maritime Operations Coordinating Board (Amendment) Bill.
The bill presently being considered is a Bill For an Act to Establish The Maritime Security Agency to Promote Maritime Security and to Provide Among Other Things, for the Establishment of the Maritime Security Agency Charged With the Responsibility of Providing Security and Safety Information and Communication Facilities for All Categories of Users of the Nigerian Maritime Industry and for Related Matters.
https://www.africaprimenews.com/2018/06/20/news/nigerian-security-agency-arrests-suspected-illegal-miners/

Nigeria, Niger Republic Sign $2bn Hydrocarbon Pipeline, Refinery Projects

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Muhammadu Buhari & Mahamadou Issoufou
President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria & President Mahamadou Issoufou. of Niger Republic
Muhammadu Buhari & Mahamadou Issoufou
President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria & President Mahamadou Issoufou. of Niger Republic

 

Nigeria and Republic of Niger on Tuesday in Abuja signed Memoranda of Understanding on the construction of two billion dollars Hydrocarbon Pipeline and Refinery in Nigeria.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the signing of the MoU was witnessed by President Muhammadu Buhari and his Nigerien counterpart Mahammadou Issoufou at the new Banquet Hall, Aso Rock, Abuja.

The MoU was signed by Nigerian Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu and the Nigerien Minister of Energy, Foumakaye Gado.

Speaking at the event, President Buhari described the cooperation on crude oil export from the Republic of Niger to Nigeria and construction of refinery facilities in Katsina State as a “win – win” for both nations.

He noted that the initiative would not only provide a reliable market for the stranded crude from the Niger Republic but would also provide petroleum products for Nigeria.

“Nigeria sees this cooperation on crude oil export from the Republic of Niger and construction of refinery facilities in Katsina State as a “win – win” for both nations.

“The initiative will not only provide a reliable market for the stranded crude from the Niger Republic but will also provide petroleum products for Nigeria, as it aggressively pursues its aspiration on petroleum product self-sufficiency.

“In addition, it is my hope that the current frontier exploration efforts in the Northern part of the country (Chad Basin, Gongola Basin, Sokoto Basin, Bida Basin and Benue trough) will also result in the  provision of additional hydrocarbon inflow to the corridors of the proposed pipeline and a potential refinery around Kaduna axis.

“I am happy that several productive engagements held between the Nigerian and Nigerien authorities have resulted in the positive agreements to progress with activities on this important project.

According to him, the project will be private sector driven with the full support of the governments of both countries.

President Buhari expressed delight that already several expressions of interest from prospective investors were being received.

President Buhari who inaugurated Steering and Technical Committee on the construction of the Hydrocarbon Pipeline and Refinery projects, said the committee would provide strategic leadership, direction and governance oversight for the project.

“In this regard, a Steering Committee has been set up to be chaired by the Nigerian Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and the alternate chairman is the Nigerien Minister of Petroleum, to provide strategic leadership, direction and governance oversight for the project.

“Further to this, a Senior Level Joint Technical Team is carefully selected based on competence to develop the implementation roadmap and strategy on both the refinery and pipeline projects.

“This team will be led by Nigeria’s Rabiu Suleiman supported by the DG Hydrocarbon of Niger Republic,’’ he said.

The President, therefore, challenged members of the committee to come up with a detailed roadmap and guideline leading to actual execution of the projects by December.

He stated that the detailed roadmap should cover: Bankable feasibility studies for both the refinery and pipeline projects; Optimal project site, pipeline routes and details as well as security plan.

The President also enjoined the committee to come up with selected consortia of investors for both the refinery and pipeline projects.

President Buhari assured that Nigeria was committed to pursuing the partnership with vigour and determination, adding that Nigeria and Niger had “excellent relations for several decades, as neighbours sharing a long border with common cultural and historical ties.’’

In his remarks, President Mahammadou Issoufou of Republic of Niger, who spoke in French, noted the signing of the MoU had constituted the basis for the mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries.

“We share common problems and should also share solutions.

“Africa will only to develop if we work together and know what to do.

“We only need to move into taking meaningful actions we are trying to develop the value chain for our mineral resources and product.

“We will be happy to see barrels of crude oil refined in Niger and exported to Nigeria,’’ he said.

One of the co-investors of the project and founder of Blak Oil Energy Refinery, Ibrahim Zakari, disclosed that the refinery, which would be sited at Mashi in Katsina State, was worth two billion dollars.

Zakari revealed that the project was projected to provide 2,500 direct and another 10,000 indirect employment opportunities to Nigerians.

 

https://www.africaprimenews.com/2018/01/03/business/we-can-no-longer-sell-fuel-at-n145-per-litre-nigerian-oil-marketers-insist/

Nigeria: Despite Defections, APC Will Consolidate On Its Majority Status – APC

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APC logo
APC logo

APC Logo

 

Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has assured its members and supporters that it will continue to consolidate on its majority status ahead of the 2019 general elections in spite of the defection of some members.

 

Its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abudullahi, in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, said, the APC-led Federal Government would continue to work hard to deliver on its campaign promises to Nigerians.

 

The statement added, “the APC notes the development in the National Assembly, with the defection of some members to other parties.

 

“In the last couple of weeks, our party leaders worked to stave off this situation as responsible party leaders would do, but the individuals involved have different considerations beyond the grievances that they were willing to discuss, and which our leaders were willing to address.

 

“As a truly democratic party, however, APC respects the rights of every citizen to political association.”

 

It, therefore, urged its members to remain calm as it continued to work to position the party for the next general elections.

 

It stated that APC remained in firm control of 25 states of the 36 states of the federation and maintained clear majority in Federal House of Representatives and state assemblies.

 

The President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, on Tuesday, announced the defection of 15 APC senators from the party to PDP. Shortly after, Speaker of the House of Representatives announced the exit of 37 Members of the House from the APC.

 

https://www.africaprimenews.com/2018/07/24/news/political-tsunami-hits-nigerian-senate-as-15-senators-dump-ruling-apc/

Nigeria: Stakeholders Finalise Infant, Young Child Feeding Communication Strategy For Kaduna State

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Kaduna State Map
Kaduna State Map

 

Nutrition Stakeholders in Kaduna State on Tuesday began a three-day meeting to finalise Social and Behavioral Change Communication Strategy (SBCC) for infant and young Child Feeding (IYCF) 2016 to 2020 in the state.

The state had in October 2017 commenced the process for the domestication of the National SBCC strategy with a view to improve the nutrition status of infant and young children in the state.

The meeting was organised by the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in collaboration with United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

NOA director in the state, Zubairu Galadima, said at the opening of the meeting in Kachia, that infants and young children in the state are bedeviled by all kinds of diseases because of poor nutrition.

Galadima said that the strategy, if well implemented would drive the needed social and behavioral change in communities towards good nutritional practices for the development of infants and young children.

He expressed optimism that with the right attitude, the disturbing malnutrition indices in the state would greatly improve.

The state’s Nutrition Officer, Hajiya Hauwa Usman, said that maternal, infant and young child feeding practices have remained unsatisfactory.

According to her, the rate of timely breastfeeding initiation is 28.9 per cent, adding that only 19.7 per cent mothers practice exclusive breastfeeding.

“Similarly, only 10 per cent of children age six to 23 months, were fed appropriately.

“This resulted in 11.7 per cent of under five years children faced with acute under-nutrition, 47 per cent are stunted and 27 per cent severely malnourished.

“Currently, infant mortality rate is 103 per 1000 live births and under five mortality rate is 169 per 1000 live birth.”

The meeting facilitator, Mr Charles Agbonifo, explained that the IYCF SBCC strategy was designed to change people’s behaviour that result in poor nutritional and health outcomes.

Agbonifo said that the meeting was organised to review and update existing draft, and share understanding and perspective of SBCC strategy in IYCF intervention.

“We are also expected to agree on the next step and time lines for SBCC strategy implementation, “he said.

Dr Firima Augustine, a resource person, said that the SBCC strategy was designed to make communities the drivers of behavioral change toward good nutritional practices.

Augustine added to make a headway, social and cultural behaviours inhibiting good nutritional practices in communities must be changed to improve nutritional indices in the state.

Mr Christopher Musa of Alive and Thrive, noted that in most communities, fathers get the best meal with the bigger slice of meat at the expense of the children.

“We expects that with the SBCC strategy, fathers will learn to give the best meal to the children because they need it the most, “Musa said.

NAN

https://www.africaprimenews.com/2018/02/02/news/unicef-kaduna-state-collaborate-to-improve-nutrition-status/

Secondus, Atiku Condemn Security Siege On Saraki, Ekweremadu’s Homes

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Saraki House

Saraki House

 

The National Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Uche Secondus, has condemned Tuesday morning security siege on the Abuja residences of Senate President, Bukola Saraki and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu.

Secondus in a statement issued in Abuja described the development as “attack on democracy, using state security apparatus’’.

He said that Directorate of State Services (DSS), Army and the Police had attacked the National Assembly with the aim of forcibly overthrowing its leadership and rendering it comatose.

“The Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu and other distinguished senators are currently under severe assault from security agencies.

“It is now a known fact that democracy have now collapsed in Nigeria and we are now under a totalitarian and fascist government with no appetite for opposition,’’ Secondus said.

He called on all Nigerians, home and abroad, to immediately speak up against the act he described as “gross violation of the Constitution of Nigeria.’’

The chairman also called on all traditional rulers in Nigeria, the international community and all well-meaning Nigerians to rise against the antics to forestall possible derailment of democracy, saying, “the time to act is now.’’

Similarly, a former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, in a statement by his Media Office also called for stop to the persecution of national assembly leadership.

“The news of the siege on the residences of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, is “both troubling and unsettling.’’

“No democratic nation ought to treat the leadership of its parliament like common criminals in the course of a political disagreement.

“I remind the powers that be that on Aug. 31, 2013, when Sen. Bukola Saraki walked out of the PDP and began the process of joining the All Progressives Congress, there was celebration in their camps.

“I also remind them that their electoral victory, which they have so badly mismanaged today, would not have been possible without the Senate President.

“Power is transient and is also a trust that should only be used for the good and advancement of the people one leads and not for the persecution of real and imagined political opponents.

“I therefore call for the lifting of the sieges on the persons and homes of Saraki and his deputy, Ekweremadu, by security forces.’’

Abubakar urged President Muhammadu Buhari to live up to his words after Saraki’s ordeal which was brought to a halt by the Supreme Court.

While there was concern about Saraki’s whereabouts, he was reported to have arrived at the Senate Chamber and presided over Tuesday’s plenary.

 

https://www.africaprimenews.com/2018/07/24/news/nigeria-police-again-invites-countrys-senate-president-over-bank-robbery/

Israel Most Racist Country; Hitler’s Spirit Resurrected, Says Erdogan

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Recep Erdogan
President Recep Erdogan of Turkey
Recep Erdogan
President Recep Erdogan of Turkey

 

President Recep Erdogan of Turkey says Israel is the most racist country in the world, adding”Adolf Hitler’s spirit has been resurrected’, after it passed law that declared Israel as the exclusive homeland of the Jewish people.

“There is no difference whatsoever between [Adolf] Hitler’s obsession with an Aryan race and the view of the Israeli leadership that this ancient land belongs exclusively to Jews,” Erdogan said on Tuesday.

“The spirit of Hitler, who led the world into a catastrophe, has been resurrected in some Israeli authorities,” he added.

The new law has “revealed the true intention of this country,” Erdogan told lawmakers from his Justice and Development (AKP) in parliament.

Erdogan’s comments, the first since the Israeli law passed on Thursday, were slammed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

“The fact that the great ‘democrator’ Erdogan is attacking the Nation-State Law is the greatest compliment for this law,” Netanyahu said in a statement.

“Turkey, under Erdogan’s rule, is becoming a dark dictatorship, whereas Israel scrupulously maintains equal rights for all its citizens, both before and after the law,” he said’.

Netanhayu accused the Turkish president of “massacring” Syrians and Kurds.

The new legislation recognises Israel as a Jewish state and says “the right to exercise national self-determination in the State of Israel is unique to the Jewish people.”

Arabic is downgraded from being an official language to “special status” in Israel, but the legislation claims it will “not harm the status given to the Arabic language before this law came into effect.”

The bill was applauded by right-wing lawmakers as enshrining in legislation what was commonly accepted by most Israelis and much of the world: that Israel is a Jewish state.

But Arab-Israel lawmakers and civil liberty groups said the law prioritized Israel’s Jewish character over its democratic character and would pave the way for discriminatory practices.

As Erdogan called Israel “the most Zionist, fascist and racist state in the world,” AKP lawmakers erupted in cheers.

Some of them shouted: “Down with Israel.”

“All unjust practices, oppression and isolation of the Palestinian people, Muslims visiting Jerusalem, and Christians are legitimized by this law,” Erdogan said.

dpa/NAN

 

https://www.africaprimenews.com/2018/05/11/news/un-urges-caution-over-missiles-firing-at-israel-uk-reacts/

Nigeria: Kaduna State Government To Establish Security Trust Fund

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kaduna-state-house-of-assembly
Kaduna State House of Assembly Complex
kaduna-state-house-of-assembly
Kaduna State House of Assembly Complex

 

By Juliana Katung

The Kaduna State House of Assembly has adopted a report on a bill to establish the Kaduna Security Trust Fund
.

The report on the bill and for other connected purposes,2018 was presented by the committee on finance to the House which was earlier scheduled to resume on the 31st of July 2018.

Presenting the report, its Chairman, Bello Gimi stated that the purpose of the bill was to establish a fund agency to be known as the security trust fund which shall be the depository of all monies received when signed into law.

“That, part of the objective of the trust fund is to provide money for the acquisition and deployment of security equipment, material and financial resources, which shall be necessary for the effective functioning of all federal, state, local government, as well as other security agencies operating in the the state.

“Other parts of the fund shall be reserved for training and retraining of security personnel in the state by the state
government.”

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