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Senate Disregards FIRS Concerns On Tax Credit Dispute
The Senate Committee on Finance dismisses FIRS concerns, approves fresh N2.7 trillion urged by Ministry of Works for road infrastructure as Minister pushes for N4.4 trillion appropriation.
The Senate Committee on Finance has decided to disregard the concerns raised by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) regarding the N2.7 trillion Tax Credit Fund requested by the Federal Ministry of Works for specific road construction projects.
The Chairman of FIRS, Zacch Adedeji, opposed the fresh N2.7 trillion requested by the Ministry of Works through the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to fund road projects under the Tax Credit Scheme.
In a recent meeting with the Committee, the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, presented a counter argument, clarifying that the N2.7 trillion is not a new request but rather a funding gap accumulated as of January this year.
He highlighted the significance of the Tax Credit Scheme in facilitating critical road rehabilitations and reconstructions across the nation over the past three years.
Senator Umahi elaborated on the Tax Credit Scheme, which entails the upfront payment of taxes by involved agencies to support infrastructure development.
He cited the successful reconstruction of the Apapa-Oshodi Road by Dangote Plc under the scheme as a notable example.
Emphasising the necessity of the N2.7 trillion funding gap for ongoing road projects, he revealed that only N650 billion has been disbursed for executing affected roads, underscoring the need for additional funds to complete ongoing projects.
He further highlighted the inadequacy of the 2024 budgetary provisions for road construction by the Federal Ministry of Works, stressing the need for substantial appropriations.
Senator Umahi proposed a budget allocation of N4.4 trillion for the construction of 100 kilometres of roads per each of the six geopolitical zones, urging the National Assembly to prioritise road infrastructure funding.
In response, Senator Sani Musa, the Committee Chairman, expressed support for the Tax Credit Policy as a necessary measure to address infrastructure exigencies.
He endorsed the release of the N2.7 trillion for the completion of ongoing projects under the scheme while advocating for a temporary halt on fresh policy implementations beyond the allocated funds.
The Association of Scavengers, Scrap Dealers, and Recyclers, Abuja, has publicly dissociated itself from a Federal High Court suit filed by unregistered scavengers and beggars against the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike.
In a statement issued in Abuja, the association’s chairman, Mallam Muntari Mohammed, clarified that the group is a duly registered body, with members holding valid identity cards and engaging in legitimate waste management, scrap trading, and recycling businesses.
He stressed that the association has always complied with the FCT Administration’s rules and regulations, maintaining a clean record.
Muntari noted that the association had formally written to the Department of State Services (DSS) and other relevant agencies to affirm its commitment to safeguarding critical infrastructure and adhering to stipulated guidelines.
He distanced the group from unregistered scavengers, whom he accused of tarnishing the reputation of legitimate operators through theft and other illicit activities.
The chairman addressed the FCT Minister’s recent ban on scavenging, which stemmed from misunderstandings about the distinction between honest scavengers and rogue elements.
“We have never confronted the FCT authorities and will never do so,” Muntari said, emphatically dissociating the association from the court case against Wike.
The Vatican has confirmed that only one round of voting will take place this Wednesday afternoon as the conclave to elect the next pope officially gets underway.
Cardinals from around the world gathered earlier Wednesday in the Sistine Chapel, where they took a sacred oath of secrecy before the chapel doors were ceremonially closed with the Latin phrase “extra omnes,” meaning “everyone out.” The papal master of ceremonies then declared the start of the conclave, invoking a centuries-old tradition whose name comes from the Latin cum clave, meaning “locked with key.”
Wednesday’s solitary ballot marked the opening step in the process to choose the new leader of the world’s 1.3 billion Catholics. Should the vote prove inconclusive requiring a two-thirds majority to elect a new pope, cardinals will resume the process on Thursday, casting up to four ballots daily until consensus is reached.
Each cardinal votes by writing “Eligo in Summum Pontificem” (“I elect as Supreme Pontiff”) on a paper ballot, followed by the name of their chosen candidate. In a quiet and orderly procession, they approach the silver and gilded urn in order of seniority to place their ballots.
As the final vote is cast, the tension rises in St. Peter’s Square, where the faithful and millions watching around the globe await the first sign of smoke from the Sistine Chapel’s chimney. Black smoke will indicate that no decision has been made; white smoke will proclaim that a new pope has been elected.
The last two conclaves, in 2005 and 2013, ended on the second day, with Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis elected after a series of swift ballots, respectively.
As the doors remain closed and Vatican cameras withdraw, the world waits in hushed anticipation for the next chapter in the history of the Catholic Church to be written.
Governor Hyacinth Alia will not honour the House of Representatives Committee invitation scheduled for Thursday, May 8.
The governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Tersoo Kula, confirmed this to journalists on Wednesday in Makurdi.
The House had summoned the governors of Benue and Zamfara, alongside their Assembly leadership.
Kula stated that the invitation is unconstitutional and the governor will not comply with it.
He explained that Alia has filed a case at the Supreme Court challenging the lawmakers’ invitation.
“Yesterday, the Benue Assembly passed a resolution rejecting the Reps Committee invitation.
“They believe the invitation is based on ignorance and have decided not to attend. They will also challenge it in court,” he said.
Kula added that the governor, independently, has approached the Supreme Court to challenge the invitation’s legality.
He said: “Since the matter is in court, I will not speak further on it.”
Kula also claimed that the civil society group behind the petition is faceless and unregistered.
According to him, the address on the group’s letterhead is fake and lacks credibility.
He said there is a coordinated campaign of misinformation and sponsored protests aimed at destabilising Benue.
In recent weeks, he noted, there have been protests in Abuja allegedly representing Benue people’s concerns.
“These protests aim to provoke a state of emergency in Benue by portraying it in a negative light,” he said.
He claimed the organisers seek to undermine progress and return to a failed political order.
“Their ultimate goal is to create chaos for selfish political gain,” Kula added.
He accused the protest sponsors of trying to remove the governor through disruptive means.
“They will not succeed. Benue people stand firmly with their governor,” he said.
He assured the public that Benue remains peaceful and the government is functioning effectively.
“Governor Alia is committed to fulfilling his mandate and addressing the state’s challenges,” he said. (NAN)