Opinion
Senate Summons NSA, NIA, DSS DGs Over Boko Haram Funding
The Senate will hold public hearings on tax reform bills on Monday and Tuesday next week through its Committee on Finance. President Bola Tinubu forwarded these bills to both chambers of the National Assembly on October 3, 2024.
The tax reform bills include: “The Nigeria Tax Bill (NTB) 2024,The Nigeria Tax Administration Bill (NTAB) 2024, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill (NRSEB) 2024, the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill (JRBEB) 2024.”
These bills were passed for a second reading in the Senate on November 28, 2024, and subsequently referred to the Committee on Finance for further legislative input through a public hearing.
Speaking to journalists on Wednesday after a closed-door meeting with committee members ahead of the hearing, the Chairman of the Committee, Senator Mohammed Sani Musa (Niger East), stated that the public hearing follows extensive consultations with relevant stakeholders.
Sani Musa explained that the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill and the Nigeria Revenue Service Bill would be deliberated on Monday. At the same time, the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill and the Nigeria Tax Bill will be reviewed on Tuesday.
According to him, to ensure a thorough consideration of the bills—which aim to reshape the nation’s economic landscape—the following key stakeholders are expected to participate in the public hearing:
“Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Zacch Adedeji,
Statistician-General of the Federation and Chief Executive of the National Bureau of Statistics, Prince Adeyemi Adeniran, Minister of Petroleum, Minister of Trade and Investment.”
Representatives from 71 different stakeholder groups have also been invited to the hearing.
“The Committee is inviting 71 different groups of stakeholders to this crucial public hearing,” Sani Musa said.
“Both the Senate and the House of Representatives have completed the second reading of the reform bills and are now ready for the public hearing.
“Committee members have reviewed the bills thoroughly, gaining a clearer understanding of their objectives—particularly in the areas of tax administration, collection, and operations in Nigeria.
“The primary goal of these reform bills is to enhance government revenue generation so that we can position our country among advanced economies. This will enable us to adequately fund infrastructure, education, agriculture, and other critical sectors that sustain our economy.”
He further emphasised that the public hearing is expected to proceed smoothly, as prior stakeholder engagements have helped shape discussions.
“We have engaged with numerous stakeholders before reaching this stage, and I believe the public hearing will be productive. Any grey areas that arise will be addressed.
“President Bola Tinubu has repeatedly stated that he will not interfere in the legislative process. It is our duty as lawmakers to act in the country’s best interest.
“We may represent different tribes, religions, and regions, but above all, we are Nigerians. We aim to enact laws that will place Nigeria on the right economic path. By the grace of God, we will succeed,” he said.
Before the closed-door session, the committee met with top officials of the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), led by its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Armstrong Tokang, who was directed to provide the committee with the National Assets Register of the country.
Ken Nnamani, a former president of the senate, says he did not beg Elisha Abbo, a former senator representing Adamawa north, on behalf of any judge after the ex-lawmaker lost his election case in court.
In October 2023, the court of appeal sacked Abbo and declared Amos Yohanna, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as the winner of the Adamawa north senatorial election.
Appearing on Channels Television on Wednesday, Abbo said he was a victim of “miscarriage of justice”.
The former senator said Nnamani pleaded with him on behalf of a judge after he lost his election case in 2023.
Reacting in a statement, the former senate president described Abbo’s claim as “blatant lies”.
“My greatest surprise was to hear him state that Senator Ken Nnamani visited him to plead with him on behalf of a judge for the miscarriage of justice. This statement is a blatant lie. I do not know how Senator Abbo can boldly fabricate an event that never happened to buttress his allegation of judicial miscarriage against him,” he said.
“For the avoidance of doubt, I have never visited Senator Elisha Abbo at his house or anywhere. Up to this moment, I do not know where he lives. I have never discussed with him about his case, or any case pending or decided by any court of law in Nigeria.
“The only time I met with him was when he visited me in my house. It was more of a social visit by him. At this meeting, we never discussed his case or any case. I recall that when the matter of his political career came up, I advised him to avoid controversies as a young politician.
“The statements Senator Abbo made regarding me and his case are all fabrications. I believe I have had a sterling and distinguished public service career. I am determined to maintain my integrity and commitment to excellence till the end of my life.”
Heineken Lokpobiri, minister of state for petroleum resources, says the federal government plans to commence implementing the drill-or-drop provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
Section 94 of the PIA gives operators a period of three years to begin oil production or relinquish the assets to the federal government.
Speaking during the Cross Industry Group (CIG) meeting held on Tuesday in Florence, Italy, Lokpobiri said it is in the best interest of the country that all inactive wells go to work.
He said the federal government, under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, has provided every necessary incentive to ensure international oil companies (IOCs) in Nigeria run smoothly and profitably.
“Now, it is imperative for these industry players to match the government’s efforts with increased investment by announcing final investment decisions (FIDs),” he said.
Furthermore, Lokpobiri discussed “the challenges, expectations, and measures to enhance the sector’s contributions towards domestic energy needs and regional expansion across Sub-Saharan Africa”.
He emphasised that while IOCs have highlighted engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractors as a challenge, “EPCs will not come unless they see strong commitments from industry players”.
“The government has done its part to provide the requisite and investment-friendly fiscals, the ball is now in the court of the IOCs and other operators to make strategic investment decisions that will drive increased production and sustainability in the sector,” he said.
“We must also recognise that domestic crude supply is essential to national energy security. The best solution to this challenge lies in increasing production, which will ensure a balance between domestic supply obligations and external commitments.”
The minister further urged industry players to explore collaborative measures, such as shared resources for contiguous assets and the release of underutilised assets to operators ready to invest in production.
The Progressive Students Movement (PSM), a leading Pan-African student body, has commended the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) in Ogun State under Commissioner of Police (CP) Lanre Ogunlowo, PhD, for its commitment to security and community engagement.
In a statement released on Thursday, the President of PSM Nigeria, Comrade Ambassador Okereafor Bestman, highlighted the CP’s efforts in strengthening collaboration between the police, stakeholders, and other security agencies to maintain peace and stability in the state.
“It is worthy of note that CP Lanre Ogunlowo, PhD, has further fostered a harmonious working synergy between the police, stakeholders, and other security agents aimed at ensuring peace and tranquility in Ogun State,” Okereafor said.
The student leader expressed confidence in CP Ogunlowo’s leadership, stating that Ogun State is on track to becoming one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria under his administration.
He also praised the professionalism and dedication of the Ogun State Police Command in tackling crime, regardless of its scale.
Additionally, PSM acknowledged the Ogun State government’s continued support for security agencies, particularly in providing mobility and logistics to enhance their operational efficiency.
The commendation comes at a time when security remains a top priority for residents and authorities in the state, with ongoing efforts to curb crime and ensure public safety.