Tax reform bills will destroy North – Zulum warns – Newstrends
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Tax reform bills will destroy North – Zulum warns

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Borno State governor, Babagana Umara Zulum

Tax reform bills will destroy North – Zulum warns

Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has raised serious concerns over the proposed tax reform bills, cautioning that they could severely harm the economy of the Northern region and other parts of Nigeria.

During an interview with BBC Hausa on Friday, Zulum questioned the speed of the legislative process surrounding the bills, contrasting it with the Petroleum Industry Bill, which took nearly two decades to pass.

“Why the rush? The Petroleum Industry Bill took almost 20 years before it was finally passed. But this tax reform bill is being transmitted and receiving legislative attention within a week. It should be treated carefully and with caution so that even after our exit, our children will reap its benefits,” Zulum said.

The governor expressed concerns that the proposed reforms are structured to disproportionately affect certain regions of the country.

“We condemn these bills sent to the National Assembly. They will drag the North backward and also affect the South East, South West, and some South-Western states like Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, and Ondo,” he said.

Zulum also alleged that some individuals might be influencing President Bola Tinubu with claims that the North does not support his administration.

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“This is not opposition. Based on our understanding, this bill will destroy the North entirely. We call on President Tinubu to review this decision. He secured 60% of his votes from the North. He should not listen to those telling him the North is not supporting him. What we need is the withdrawal of these tax bills,” Zulum added.

The governor warned that if the bills become law, states in the North would struggle to carry out developmental projects and might even find it difficult to pay salaries.

“If these bills pass, we won’t even be able to pay salaries. And if we do, it won’t be sustainable the following year. We are against it, and even Lagos State is against it. If this bill is dragging regions backward, why won’t they rescind it? Our National Assembly members, including some from the South, are not in support of it,” he lamented.

Speaking on behalf of the North East, Zulum emphasized that their opposition to the bills should not be misinterpreted as opposition to the government.

“This is our position, and it doesn’t mean we are against the government. We supported and voted for President Tinubu. But these bills will not be beneficial to us,” he clarified.

Recall that the Senate passed the tax reform bills for a second reading on Thursday after a debate among lawmakers.

The bills have now been referred to the Committee on Finance, which is expected to submit its findings within six weeks.

The four tax reform bills sent to the National Assembly include the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, aimed at providing a fiscal framework for taxation, and the Tax Administration Bill, which seeks to establish a unified legal framework for taxes and reduce disputes.

Other proposed legislation includes the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill, which would replace the Federal Inland Revenue Service Act with the Nigeria Revenue Service, and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill, designed to create a tax tribunal and a tax ombudsman.

 

Tax reform bills will destroy North – Zulum warns

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IGP Kayode Egbetokun reshuffles police leadership, names new AIGs

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Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun

IGP Kayode Egbetokun reshuffles police leadership, names new AIGs

On Friday, December 6, Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun implemented a significant reshuffling within the Nigeria Police Force, appointing new Assistant Inspectors-General of Police to key positions.

The IGP emphasized that the redeployment is designed to improve operational effectiveness and ensure more efficient policing throughout the country.

Egbetokun’s decision, outlined in a statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, reflects the ongoing efforts to enhance law enforcement capabilities nationwide.

“The posting of these seasoned officers to these critical roles is a strategic move to strengthen our policing operations and address emerging security challenges,” he stated.

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The newly appointed Assistant Inspectors-General (AIGs) are AIG Suleiman M. Yusuf, assigned to Zone 9 in Umuahia, AIG Ahmed Ammani, appointed to Zone 1 in Kano and AIG Zachariah Fera, who will oversee Zone 4 in Makurdi.

Additionally, AIG Augustina N. Ogbodo has been posted to the Force Criminal Investigation Department Annex in Lagos.

In his directive, IGP Egbetokun urged the newly posted officers to focus on the welfare of their personnel and emphasized the importance of upholding professional ethics and human rights standards in their duties.

“I charge you all to work diligently and collaboratively to maintain law and order, combat crime, and protect lives and property,” the IG said.

He also appealed to the public to lend their support to the Nigeria Police Force as it strives to ensure the safety and security of all Nigerians.

 

IGP Kayode Egbetokun reshuffles police leadership, names new AIGs

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12 scrap metal collectors jailed in Delta

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12 scrap metal collectors jailed in Delta

A mobile court in Asaba has jailed twelve unlicensed collectors of scrap metal, otherwise known as Iron Condemn, for doing business without due process, and for not obtaining license from Delta state government.

Those convicted are to serve different jail terms without option of fine, so as to serve as deterrent to others.

They were arrested by the Delta State Environment Marshals for engaging in illegal scrap metal collection, which poses significant security risks to residents of the state.

The court ruled that their actions undermined public safety and warranted strict punishment to deter others from similar illegal activities.

The Chairman of the Taskforce, Chief Godspower Asiuwhu, while commending the court’s ruling, assured residents that the state government will continue to do the needful to protect life and property, maintain law and order.

He urged residents to report any suspicious movements and criminal activities to law enforcement agents and local vigilante in towns and villages, adding that the state environmental marshal and taskforce shall continue to do the needful until unlicensed l Iron Condemn operators are shown the way out of Delta State.

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In the same vein, the Director General, Delta State Orientation and Communications Bureau, Dr Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, urged residents in the state not to patronize unlicensed iron condemn collectors to avoid arrest and prosecution, pointing out that it was, and still unlawful to do business with law breakers and defiants.

He disclosed that regulations and subsisting laws in the state clearly prohibited door-to-door collection or scavenging of scrap metals and other recyclable materials, use of carts or other hand-held carriers such as sacks, compulsory registration, licensing and annual renewal of licenses of operations of persons involved in the business of collection of scrap metals and other renewable materials.

“Operators must profile their staff and persons engaged in the business of scrap metal, and other recyclable materials collection with the appropriate government agencies.

“Means of people identification of staff and persons engaged in the business of metal scrap and other recyclable materials collection is compulsory, while employees must wear apparels with visible identification and license numbers of employers.

“Compulsory registration, licensing and annual renewal of licenses of vehicles and other approved means of collecting scrap metals or other recyclable materials for sale, are non-negotiable.”

It must be emphasized that the ban on unlicensed Iron Condemn operators in Delta State is still in force, offenders shall be apprehended and prosecuted, and jailed by Court of competent jurisdiction.

12 scrap metal collectors jailed in Delta

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Gunmen attack Anambra community, police officer, vigilante shot

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Anambra State Police command’s spokesperson, DSP Toochukwu Ikenga

Gunmen attack Anambra community, police officer, vigilante shot

A clutch of yet-to-be-identified gunmen have attacked some police officers and vigilantes in Anambra State.

The security operatives were attacked at a police checkpoint at Ajali, Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The command’s spokesman, Tochukwu Ikenga, who confirmed this in a statement on Friday, disclosed that a police officer and a member of the Anambra State Vigilante Group sustained gunshot injuries.

Ikenga stated that the two security operatives, who were shot in a gun duel with the gunmen, were receiving medical treatment.

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“During the gun duel, one police personnel and one AVG Operative sustained gunshot injuries and are currently responding to treatment in a hospital.

“Unfortunately, the two operational vehicles belonging to the AVG were caught up in fire and razed down completely,” he said.

According to him, the gunmen were intercepted on Thursday on the Umuchu-Amesi-Uga Road.

He added that one branded blue Hilux vehicle suspected to have been snatched from an unsuspecting member of the public was recovered from them.

He stated that joint operations are still ongoing in the area and further developments would be communicated.

Anambra is one of the Southeast states grappling with deepening security crisis occasioned by wanton killings and violent attacks by unknown gunmen.

Other states are Abia, Imo, Enugu and Ebonyi

Gunmen attack Anambra community, police officer, vigilante shot

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