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FG removes VAT on diesel for six months
The Federal Government, in an effort to cushion the effects of the recent removal of the fuel subsidy, has declared the removal of the value-added tax (VAT) on diesel for the coming six months.
This announcement was made public by Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, after the conclusive discussions with the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC).
Key resolutions from the meeting include:
The approval of a N25,000 provisional wage increment for all treasury-paid federal government workers over a period of six months.
The commitment of the Federal Government to expedite the delivery of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to mitigate public transportation challenges that have risen from the removal of the PMS subsidy.
A pledge to allocate funds specifically for micro and small-scale enterprises.
An acknowledgment of the 8.57% spike in diesel prices, as reported by the National Bureau of Statistics, with consumers now paying an average of N854.32 per litre, a significant rise from N786.88 per litre from the previous year.
The commencement of payments, by the Federal Government, of N75,000 to 15 million households at N25,000 monthly from October to December 2023.
The National Bureau of Statistics had highlighted a worrying trend in diesel prices which, spurred by a 7.5% VAT and forex challenges, catapulted from N650 per litre to nearly N950. In light of these developments, Bennett Korie, the President of the Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria, had emphasized the severe impact of the VAT on diesel, which had propelled pump prices to staggering heights across the nation.
The meeting, which saw the participation of prominent figures including Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor Abdulrazak Abdulrahman of Kwara State, and Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, also touched upon the longstanding issues between the Road Transport Employees Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) and National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Lagos State.
Both NLC and TUC are currently deliberating the propositions made by the Federal Government with the aim of potentially halting their planned industrial action, allowing further discussions on the actualization of the aforementioned resolutions.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mallam Mohammed Idris, emphasized the Federal Government’s dedication to addressing these pressing concerns, urging that solutions are more feasible with workers at their stations rather than on strike. The labor delegation, which was headed by NLC President Joe Ajaero and included notable leaders from both NLC and TUC, seemed hopeful for the forthcoming consultations.
The Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN has warned against obstructing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from carrying out its lawful duty .
Fagbemi’s warning is contained in a statement in Abuja.
“This is a matter of very grave concern, it is now beyond doubt that the EFCC is given power by the law to invite any person of interest to interact with them in the course of their investigations into any matter, regardless of status.
“Therefore, the least that we can all do when invited, is not to put any obstruction in the way of EFCC, but to honourably answer their invitation.
“A situation where public officials who are themselves subject of protection by law enforcement agents will set up a stratagem of obstruction to the civil and commendable efforts of the EFCC to perform its duty is to say the least, insufferably disquieting’’.
He added that running away from the law will not resolve issues at stake but only exacerbate them.
“Nigeria has a vibrant judicial system that is capable of protecting everyone who follows the rule of law in seeking protection.
“I therefore encourage anyone who has been invited by the EFCC or any other agency to immediately toe the path of decency and civility by honouring such invitation instead of embarking on a temporising self-help and escapism.
“This can only put our country in bad light before the rest of the world’’.
He said institutions of state should be allowed to function effectively and efficiently.
“I stand for the rule of law and will promptly call EFCC, and indeed any other agency to order when there is an indication of any transgressions of the fundamental rights of any Nigerian by any of the agencies’’.
NAN reports that the EFCC had on Wednesday warned members of the public that it was a criminal offence to obstruct officers of the Commission from carrying out their lawful duties.
Section 38(2)(a(b) of the EFCC Establishment Act makes it an offence to prevent officers of the Commission from carrying out their lawful duties. Culprits risk a jail term of not less than five years.
The warning , the EFCC said, became necessary against the background of the increasing tendency by persons and groups under investigation by the Commission to take the laws into their hands by recruiting thugs to obstruct lawful operations of the EFCC.
On several occasions, the anti graft agency said, operatives of the Commission have had to exercise utmost restraint in the face of such provocation to avoid a breakdown of law and order.
Some unknown gunmen have kidnapped Joshua Rogers, the ChannelsTV reporter in Port-Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
Politics Nigeria learnt that Rogers was picked up close to his residence at Rumuosi in Port Harcourt and to an unknown destination by the gunmen around 9pm on Thursday, April 11.
The reporter was driving his official ChannelsTV branded car when the hoodlums accosted, pointed a gun at him and took him away in the same vehicle.
Rogers was said to be returning from his official assignment in Government House after a trip to Andoni for a government event when the incident happened.
Already, the gunmen were said to have contacted his wife and demanded a N30million ransom for bis release.
His cameraman confirmed the incident and appealed to his abductors to set him free unconditionally.
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