Business

Group flays FG over distribution of EMT levy

Published

2 years ago

December 6, 2022

Group flays FG over distribution of EMT levy

The Body of Attorneys General of the States of the Federation (BOAGS) has expressed displeasure over the Federal Government’s wrong distribution of funds derived from the Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMT Levy) to the Federal, state and local governments.

The group said it is in disregard of constitutional and statutory provisions, stating that neither section 163 of the 1999 Constitution nor section 89A of the Stamp Duties Act (SDA–introduced through section 48 of the Finance Act 2020) countenance the disbursement of the EMT Levy to local governments.

BOAGS insisted that each federating state must receive 85 per cent of the levy derived from that state as the law provides.
This was part of a communiqué issued and signed on behalf of members of the body by its chairman, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN), Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Lagos State, and the Secretary, Dr. Abdulkarim Kana, Attorney General, Nasarawa State, after their second meeting held in Asaba, Delta State between November 30 and December 2, 2022.

According to the communiqué, “SDA provides a sharing formula for the revenue derived from the EMT levy, with 15 per cent of the revenue allocated to the Federal Government and Federal Capital Territory and the remaining 85 per cent allocated to the State governments.
Each federating state must receive 85 per cent of the levy derived from that state as the law provides.

“While we commend the financial sustenance of local governments, we counsel against the disregard of Constitutional and statutory provisions,” the group insisted.
Similarly, it noted the absence of pools, betting, lotteries, gaming, and casinos in the exclusive and concurrent legislative lists, while stating that these items are residual matters reserved exclusively for the states, outside the National Assembly’s legislative competence.
The body, however, agreed to join the government of Lagos State as co-plaintiffs in suit marked SC.1/2008 before the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

Meanwhile, the body commended the National Assembly for the recent round of proposed constitutional amendments, many of which devolve powers from the Federal Government to the states.
It noted that devolution ensures that decisions are made closer to the local people, communities, and businesses they affect.
“The result will be more effective, better targeted public services, greater growth and stronger partnerships between public, private and community leaders in the states,” the communiqué stated.

The body, therefore, called on all state Attorneys General that have not done so to advise their Houses of Assembly on each proposed amendment’s relative merits or demerits to facilitate informed decisions by state legislatures.

Part of the communiqué also noted that at its inaugural meeting held in Lagos between June 15 and 17, 2022, whereby the body called on the Federal Government to cease any deductions from the states regarding the purported N418 billion London/Paris Club Loan consultancy fee, pending the final resolution of an appeal filed on behalf of the states.
The body expressed displeasure and unequivocally condemned the Federal Government’s issuance of promissory notes despite the subsistence of an appeal on the matter.

It, therefore, called on the Federal Government to respect the Judicial process and immediately cease any further deductions to avoid imposing a fait accompli on the court.
Also, the body reinstated its commitment to taking immediate steps to ensure that Administration of Civil Justice Laws and procedures are strengthened, made more efficient or otherwise reformed to ensure speedy dispensation of justice and resolution of disputes, thus boosting the confidence of citizens in the justice delivery system.

Regarding the payment of pensions and gratuity for retired state Judges, the body reaffirms that the responsibility falls to the National Judicial Council under sections 80, 81(3)(c), 84(1), (2), (4) and (7); 2nd Schedule, Part 1, Item 44; 3rd Schedule, Part 1, Paragraph 21(e); and 3rd Schedule Part 2, Paragraph C of the 1999 Constitution.
Therefore, those provisions must be fully obeyed and implemented.

It reiterated its position regarding the constitutional powers of the federating states to establish anti-corruption bodies.

Also, the efforts by some states to establish anti-corruption commissions were commended.
BOAGS noted that crimes committed within a state’s territory must be investigated and prosecuted in that state.
It strongly condemned the transfer of criminal investigations from state commands to the Force Headquarters for collateral and/or obstructive purposes.

Furthermore, the body reasserted its invitation for all states to deploy appropriate technology in court proceedings, while restating its commitment to knowledge-sharing and inter-state cooperation in establishing best practices in administering justice.

The body also resolves to formally register BOAGS at the Corporate Affairs Commission, establish, staff and equip a permanent secretariat for BOAGS as well as financial sustenance of the body through the payment of yearly dues, collegiality among them and commitment from the state Attorneys General.

Business

Businesses count losses amid power outage in Bauchi, Gombe, and Jigawa

Published

2 months ago

October 28, 2024

Matthew Eloyi

Business owners in Bauchi, Gombe and Jigawa are recording losses due to week-long blackout ocassioned by vandalism of the power transmission line in parts of northern Nigeria.

The sudden disruption in electricity supply in the past days, also affected essential services such as water, sanitation, street lighting and healthcare delivery as most hospitals have been operating without light.

Some of the affected businesses including shop keepers, millers and artisans, who spoke while reacting to a survey by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), described the situation as “pathetic”.

The survey examined the perennial collapse of national grid and the need for alternative power supply in the country.

Rice millers in Gombe had decried the impact of the erratic power supply on their businesses.

A Miller, Musa Arab, at Nassarawo Industrial Layout in Gombe, said the trend was crippling their operations as they relied on electricity supply from the grid to process paddy.

He said the mills were not operational power outage as they could not afford exorbitant pump prices of petrol or diesel to run their machines.

This, he said, reduced the volume of rice supply to the market and posed serious challenge to food security.

“We must invest in power because it is the biggest determining factor for industries to thrive.

“I have over 20 workers in my mill, and we have 100 mini rice mills here, so you can imagine those who have no jobs for the past 10 days.

“Government must go tough on those responsible for the perennial grid collapse because some persons may be benefitting from it,” he said.

Also, Yusuf Ibrahim said the situation might trigger the already fragile inflation, as prices of local varieties would shot up ocassioned by the diminish supply.

He said that some had jerked up their charges to cover the expenses on diesel thereby affecting rice prices.

A check by NAN at the Gombe Main market showed that a 100 kilogramme of rice was sold for between N120,000 and N160,000, as against N110,000 and N150,000, before the blackout.

Mr Usman Sani, a rice dealer, attributed the hike in price to low supply of the produce to the market in spite of the number harvest recorded this cropping season.

He said the prices had decreased slightly at the onset of the harvest, however, it showed sprawling increase due to power outage.

“The price of rice is already dropping as a result of harvest but the trend reverse since the blackout in the past days “ he said.

Ugochukwu Daniel, a bartender in Bauchi, decried the epileptic power supply in the country, adding that lack of durable energy supply would retard Nigeria’s quest to attain social and economic greatness.

Daniel said that she spent much on fuel to run power generator for refrigrator and lightening the beer parlour, to enable her to keep the business running.

He said that businesses could only thrive in an enabling environment with stable electricity supply, to enhance wealth creation and reduce poverty among Nigerians.

“My trade is about chill drinks and it survives on electricity to operate otherwise you will out of bussiness.

“Without electricity there is nothing you can do, and not only business but about everything. We depend on it,” he said.

Similarly, Samuel Adamu, said the persistent power outage had forced him to patronised charcoal for ironing clothes in spite of its high cost and cumbersome processes.

He said that most cleaners in the area had resorted to fabricated iron charcoal in spite of hike in its prices which suddenly jumped from N5,000 to N15,000.

Adamu said the situation also encouraged division of labour in laundry to cut cost and make some gains.

“Presently, I do wash the cloth, and engage someone for ironing. The charge is N300 per set as against N150”.

While advocated development of renewable energies to enhance power supply in the country, Adamu urged security agencies to entensify efforts towards electrical installations in the country.

In the same vein; Mr Muhammad Adamu, Chairman, Jigawa State House Assembly Commitee on Power and Energy, said the Jigawa Electricity Law 2024, made sound provisions to improve power generation and distribution in the state.

This, he said, was an offshoot of the devaluation brought about by the 5th alteration of the constitution, where removed power from the executive legislative list and to the concurrent list.

“It empowered the state houses of assembly to enact laws on power.

“The committee has also carefully pursued the bill and reviewed its structure and the promise it holds for the state power sector, infrastructure and the overall economy of the state.

“The new law will pave way for the establishment of Jigawa Electricity Commission, to regulate the state’s electricity market,” he said.

According to Adamu, the law will protect residents and investors in the energy sector through ensuring prepaid meter installation and possibility of recouping investor’s funds as well as address vandalism.

“The law will lead to provision of reliable, affordable and sustainable power, essential for development of all sectors of the economy, particularly in rural areas,” Adamu said.

“Vandalism will be over because we pay Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) money for powered supplies, but whenever there is problem of damages or broken down transformers, it is either the communities or individuals that pay for the repairs”.

Business

Mercedes urges delay of EU tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles

Published

2 months ago

October 21, 2024

Matthew Eloyi

Mercedes urges delay of EU tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles

The head of German luxury carmaker Mercedes-Benz, has called for the European Union to de-escalate the dispute with China over tariffs on electric cars.

“We need more free trade instead of new trade barriers.

“That is why it is important to find a solution that suits both the EU and China,” chief executive Ola Källenius told the Monday edition of Bild newspaper.

“The negotiations for this take time. In order not to jeopardise them, the EU should postpone the enforcement of the planned tariffs,’’ he said.

At the start of the month, a majority of EU countries paved the way for additional tariffs of up to 35.3 per cent on battery-powered electric vehicles imported from China.

Germany, however, voted against the measure amid concerns over retaliatory actions which could hurt the country’s giant car industry.

The European Commission had pressed for extra tariffs after an investigation accused Beijing of subsidising domestic electric car manufacturers, and thus distorting the market in the EU.

But whether the import tariffs would actually come into force at the beginning of November is still up to the commission.

The plans can still be dismissed if Brussels reaches a solution with China at the negotiating table.

Business

ACCI moves to promote business connections, balance work-life

Published

2 months ago

October 16, 2024

Matthew Eloyi

ACCI moves to promote business connections, balance work-life

The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), is taking innovative steps to enhance professional relationships and promote a healthy work-life balance.

The President of ACCI, Dr Emeka Obegolu, said this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

Obegolu said ACCI was committed to creating environments where professionals could connect beyond the confines of traditional boardrooms.

He said the upcoming “Business Meets Golf’’ Tournament epitomises this vision.

“Scheduled for Oct. 18 to Oct 19 at the IBB Golf Club, the tournament will gather industry leaders, top executives, and key decision-makers for a unique networking experience.

“This two-day event aims not only to strengthen business ties but also to foster partnerships that can drive economic growth.

“The ACCI’s initiative reistates the importance of maintaining a balance between professional achievement and personal well-being.

“By encouraging corporate cultures that prioritise relaxation and self-care, the Chamber acknowledges that such balance is vital for productivity and overall success,” he said.

According to Obegolu, the event will feature a range of activities designed to facilitate both business engagement and relaxation.

“Highlights include a Business-to-Business (B2B) cocktail on the first day, followed by the golf tournament and additional networking opportunities on the second day.

“The tournament will culminate in an awards ceremony recognising outstanding golfers among the participants.

“‘Business Meets Golf’ exemplifies our dedication to fostering innovative networking opportunities.

“We aim to create spaces for meaningful discussions that can lead to impactful collaborations,” Obegolu said.

The ACCI boss said in addition to promoting business connectivity, the council aimed to restate the importance of relaxation and a balanced lifestyle.

Obegolu said through events like this, the Chamber continued to play a pivotal role in supporting trade and industry in Nigeria while driving sustainable growth within the private sector.

He said to raise awareness about this landmark event, ACCI was partnering with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) and Media Trust Limited, to ensure broad visibility and engagement from leading brands.