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OPINION: An Analysis of the VAT Conundrum in Nigeria

By
The Source
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Simon Kolawole

By Simon Kolawole.

The evolution of Nigerian federalism has undergone major genetic variations in the last 20 years, but the war that has just broken out over the value-added tax (VAT) may become the turning point because of the potential impact on fiscal federalism and the political economy. On December 11, 2020, Justice Stephen Pam of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, Rivers state, had ruled — in a case brought by Mr Emmanuel Chukwuka Ukala, SAN, against the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) — that it is states, not federal government, that should collect VAT. He also held that the constitution lists the taxation powers of FG as covering only incomes, profits and capital gains.

Although I am a novice in legal matters, Pam’s judgment looks very sound to me. There is nowhere in the constitution where VAT is mentioned, and since it is linked to consumption, that appears to be in the terrain of states. The judge also held that there is no constitutional backing for the collection of VAT, withholding tax, education tax and technology levy in Rivers state, or any other state of the federation, by the FIRS. Based on the letters of the law, I do not expect any court to upturn his determinations. That is why I think the best way out of the impasse is a political, rather than legal, solution because of the likely negative impact on businesses, individuals and nation-building.

I want to draw out a few observations from what I consider to be the implications and complications of the VAT judgement. For those who may not understand much about VAT even though they pay it regularly when they make phone calls or drink Chivita, it is similar to a sales tax but is collected at the point of consumption in the value chain. Farm produce, medical services and educational materials are exempt. The FIRS, a federal agency, collects VAT and remits to a special account which is not part of the federation account. The revenue sharing formula is also different: federal government, 15%; states, 50%; and LGAs, 35%. For the states, there is a derivation payment of 20%.

Here are a few implications of the judgment, some of which many analysts have also pointed out. One, FG may be the biggest winners. In 2020, Nigeria earned N1.531tr from VAT. While local VAT was N763bn, foreign VAT — collected by FG — was N768bn. Therefore, rather than take just 15% (N230bn) from the N1.531trn, FG may now pocket the entire N768bn from foreign VAT since it does not go into federation account and may not be subject to the regular sharing formula. That would deprive the states, Rivers and Lagos inclusive, of about half of the total VAT revenue. This is HUGE. The FCT may also win as it generated N202bn in VAT last year but got only N34.6bn as its share.

Two, the general impression is that Lagos state will win massively from the judgement. I have my doubts. Yes, Lagos is the biggest beneficiary of the current arrangement: the state collected N216bn as VAT share in 2020. By comparison, Kano got N53bn and Oyo N45bn. This is quite a gap. Lagos also contributes about 60% to the VAT pool: that is why it is called “the goose that lays the golden egg”. This might have prompted the Lagos government to quickly pass a VAT law, even charging a rate of 6% — lower than the prevailing 7.5%. I hope Lagos state officials did their homework well because it looks like they are not seeing what I am seeing, except maybe some facts are not yet in the open.

You see, by the time every state enacts a VAT law, much of the derivation attributed to Lagos will reduce. Currently, all VAT incomes from telecoms and banking transactions are attributed to Lagos because the companies have their headquarters there. That means derivation on all phone calls made, bottles of Coke gulped and banking transactions done in 36 states and FCT are attributed to Lagos. That is why Lagos contributes about 60% to domestic VAT. That also explains why Lagos gets the lion’s share. Calls and transactions emanating from 35 states and FCT will no longer be attributed to Lagos — going by the judgment. That is why it looks like Lagos share of VAT may actually drop.

Three, will Rivers state win big? Again, I have my reservations, but they may not lose that much. Last year, Rivers got N40bn from VAT, but this includes their share of the N768bn revenue from foreign VAT. That also includes their share of the local VAT revenue generated in other states and FCT. Thus, if FG holds on to the foreign VAT, every state will be affected. This is contrary to the impression (even trepidation up north) that only northern states will suffer. In the meantime, states cannot make laws on import VAT as Lagos assumes it can do. The constitution is quite clear on who has the power to legislate on import: federal government. Devil is in the details but are we aware?

Four, it is argued that Sharia-compliant states cannot be breaking beer bottles and at the same time sharing the VAT revenue from alcohol. Fair point. However, beer contribution to VAT is not that much. The figures are not disaggregated by FIRS, but the NBS Living Standards Survey for 2018/2019 puts total annual spend on alcohol at N150bn. The VAT on N150bn is not heavy. Meanwhile, south-west topped consumption spending (both food and non-food) with N12trn; followed by south-south, N8.4trn; north-west, N6.8trn; north-central, N5.7trn; south-east, N4.8trn; and north-east, N2.5trn. And most are VATable expenses. The north may not lose as much as is being speculated.

Five, the biggest losers will be businesses — and that will further damage our fragile economy. There is a reason VAT collection is centralised in other countries, both unitary and federal. For practical purposes, if you produce soft drinks in Lagos and pay VAT to Lagos, you will still pay VAT to Oyo when you take your products there, and Oyo will have to calculate how may bottles you sold. Companies will now have to deal with 37 VAT regimes in 36 states and FCT, unlike now when you pay at once to FIRS. (By the way, the FIRS will be losers. That is why they are fighting day and night over the judgment. The agency gets a cool commission of 4% which I will touch on shortly.)

India used to do what we are about to do. Its 29 states had different VAT regimes. Inter-state commerce was hell. A truck carrying goods could wait for three days at a state border awaiting VAT inspection. When India finally decided to centralise VAT collection by enacting the goods and services tax (GST), it was a big relief for businesses. Brazil and Canada, which are federations like India and Nigeria, are currently trying to centralise VAT collection because of the complexity. But Nigeria is racing towards a different direction. Just imagine the nightmare of handling VAT stress all over the federation if you have to deal with 37 tax authorities, even though you are one company.

In sum, I foresee fiscal crisis in many states. Why? The redistribution of VAT has been their saving grace. Some people are gloating and screaming “restructuring”, not knowing that it is not only one part of the country that will be affected. In 2020, only six states made more from IGR than they got from VAT allocation: Rivers, Lagos, Ogun, Kaduna, Delta and Edo. Akwa Ibom had parity: IGR, N30.6bn; VAT, N30.8bn. The other 29 states got more in VAT allocations than from IGR. On the average, VAT represents 33% of gross statutory allocations and 26% of total revenue for states. It is to address the imbalance between richer and poorer states that all federations, including the US, do fiscal transfers. That is the driving principle of fiscal federalism: stabilisation through redistribution.

With the VAT judgement, what is the way forward? For one, some states believe the present sharing formula is unfair. This is a legitimate concern. But the solution should not be pursued in ways that will make life more miserable for businesses and individuals, or cause further animosity in our severely challenged nationhood. We can create a win-win for all. That would require working out a robust political situation. Luckily, this is not a constitutional matter: the VAT Act can be amended in one week as along as the political authorities can reach a consensus on what is fair and just to all. Most importantly, this is a revenue issue: the states are under pressure to meet their needs.

Here are my suggestions. First, I believe FIRS should continue to collect VAT for ease of administration. The agency has built the capacity. However, its commission of 4% is too much. Customs also takes 7% as commission on foreign VAT. Both should get 0.5% each. This will increase the distributable amount in the VAT pool. Second, why does the North East Development Commission (NEDC) collect 3% from VAT? What’s the logic? The commission got N45.9bn from VAT last year. If it was a state, it would rank third behind Lagos and Kano. That money should go to the VAT pool. It even conflicts with the VAT Act, which clearly spells out the sharing formula.

Third, many items on the VAT-exempt list deprive us of good revenue. For instance, why should air tickets be exempt while train tickets are not? Why should aircraft be VAT-exempt while buses are not? What’s the sense in that? Fourth, VAT revenue can be disaggregated per state. Every state will be able to get derivation on items consumed within their territories. That way, alcohol VAT will not be shared with Sharia-compliant states because it is haram. Alternatively, we can abolish VAT altogether and allow states to charge and collect sales tax. We can also adopt or adapt the Indian or Canadan model on goods and services tax. There are so many options we can consider.

The National Economic Council (NEC), chaired by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo and made up of the 36 state governors, need to burn the midnight candle over this. Actually, Nigeria is not raising enough tax revenue given the size of its economy. There are too many inefficiencies and leakages in the system. We need to fix that. Our tax revenue has gone up partly because of the crude oil crisis. We can do more without increasing tax rates or instituting extra handles. I propose we study other federations and see what we can learn from them. In the end, the VAT imbroglio may turn out to be a blessing in disguise and lead to a win-win outcome for all. Everything doesn’t have to be war.

Kolawole, Publisher of The Cable, is a regular commentator on current and National issues

Nollywood Actress, Bimbo Oshin Loses Husband

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Bimbo Oshin

By Akinwale Kasali

Nollywood veteran actress and screen diva, Bimbo Oshin is bereaved. She has become a widow.

Her husband, Ola Ibironke, popularly known as Dudu Heritage is dead.

The popular socialite, Music promoter and prominent golfer in Ibadan died Sunday night.

The late Dudu Heritage lived in the United States of America for some years ago where he was a music promoter before relocating to Nigeria to run a private business.

The cause of his death is yet to be made public.

One of his closest friends who live in the United Kingdom confirmed his demise, describing it as a rude shock.

There are speculations that the late Ibironke and Bimbo Oshin had parted ways a few years ago, but it was debunked by the Music promoter that promoted legendary Fuji Star, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshall and Abass Akande Obesere.

In an interview with City People where he debunked the rumour of parting ways with Bimbo, he said, ” There are so many rumours out there that made me to develop a thick skin. So I keep them guessing all the time because the news still keeps circulating. The wedlock has produced two lovely children; a boy and a girl. So what else is there to say? For a man clocking 60 and still talking about a marriage that has happened 2004/2005?

“We have been around for a very long time so stories don’t bother us again. But I can authoritatively tell you that Bimbo Oshin is in my house, any time, any day. Since she has been in my house she has never left.

“She is my wife. And to prove to you, maybe that would put the issue to rest, I will call her now for you to talk to her. (He called his wife, Bimbo Oshin, and put the phone on speaker).

“Dudu Heritage asked his wife if they are still together, Bimbo Oshin responded from the other end, assuring her husband that their marriage is still intact. “I’m in my husband’s house and I have never left,” she said with laugher.

The late Dudu Heritage was from Osun State and hailed from Ijesha. He had his early life in Nigeria, his university life was between London and U.S.A before he came back to Nigeria.

Before his demise, he was planning  to host all the past and present captains of Golf clubs in Nigeria at the maiden edition of Captain Golf Invitational Competition which scheduled for September 18 at Ibadan Golf club, Oyo State.

Bandits Release 75 Abducted Zamfara Students, Invade Military Base

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Kidnappers
Kidnappers

By Akinwale Kasali

75 Students of Government Day Secondary School, Kaya, in Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State have been released by Bandits who abducted them since September 1, 2021.

However, late Sunday Night, the Nigeria Television Authority, NTA, confirmed on their Facebook account the release of 75 students by the Bandits.

The cheering news came as unconfirmed alleged that a Military Base in Zamfara was, on Saturday, invaded by Bandits. And even though the invaders were finally repelled, 12 officers allegedly paid the supreme price.

This attack came even as the Federal Government suspended all GSM communications in the State  to help in the fight against insurgents

The Zamfara State Police Command had claimed that the Bandits abducted more than seventy students during an attack on the school.

The spokesman of the Command, Mohammed Shehu, in a statement released, had said armed bandits invaded the school premises and abducted students.

He said, “The abduction followed the invasion of the school by large numbers of armed bandits.”

Shehu further stated that the state Command was working with the Military to secure the release of the pupils.

The bandit  had earlier returned five of the students within 24 hours of the attack.

A former Councillor of Kaya ward, Yahaya Kaya, while speaking on the incident noted that the bandits abducted his younger brother’s daughter.

The recent abduction forced the State Government to order the closure of boarding facilities in 30 schools.

Meanwhile, it has not been stated if the State Government paid ransom to secure the release of the students.

Buhari’s visit: Uzodinma Reacts To Viral Video; Says Opposition Will Continue To Fail

By
The Source
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0
Hope Uzodimma

The Imo State Government says that the opposition in Imo State will continue to fail in their desperate bid to undermine the government of Senator Hope Uzodimma and by extension, that of President Muhammadu Buhari.

This was contained in a  statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary/Media Adviser to the Governor, Oguwike Nwachuku following the avalanche of misinterpretation and misinformation given to what the President said or did not say during his visit to Imo State on Thursday, September 9, 2021.

The Statement reads:

“Following President Buhari’s visit to Imo State last Thursday, September 9, 2021, generally adjudged a huge success by men and women of good will, the miniscule opposition in Imo State has been looking for a way to discredit the visit and embarrass Mr. President.

“But they have failed again.

“In their desperation, they doctored and proceeded to post on social media platforms, a misleading video on President Buhari’s remarks during his Town Hall Meeting with highly respected Igbo leaders who were in audience at the exclusive meeting, in total disregard for the good intention of Mr. President’s remarks.

“The opposition mishievously posted a lie that President Buhari told Governor Uzodimma: ” I’ll be careful with your future invitations.”

“President Buhari  who spoke extempore had commenced his speech with humorous remarks about being pleasantly surprised by ( and grateful for) how Governor Uzodimma was able to pull the galaxy of Igbo leaders to Owerri to receive and interface with him contrary to the “intention” of the visit.

“This is President Buhari’s extempore  remarks: “I am overwhelmed by this reception, overwhelmed in the sense that when I accepted the invitation by the Imo State Governor, who wants to justify investments the government has done to the people of Imo State, I thought I would see the bridges, the  roads and a few renovations.

‘He didn’t tell me he was going to get the whole Igbo leadership here. So in the future when he invites me, I’ll know what to do. But I think he has done what the military didn’t like. He has achieved surprise. He has surprised me beyond description.’

“His humour was greeted by large applause.

“In his concluding remarks at the same event, the President made reference to his earlier remarks on the ‘‘surprise’’ action pulled by the Governor.

“President Buhari again humorously quipped: ‘Governor of Imo State, I cannot thank you enough. But in your future invitations I will know what to do. I will be careful with your future invitations. I am overwhelmed by the reception.’

“The ending remarks attracted even bigger applause from the audience.

“Because the opposition in Imo State are too bitter with hate to notice even the smallest of humours, nobody would have been surprised if they also lost their sense of understanding when President Buhari went humorous in his remarks.

“Let me explain to them what Mr. President meant in the language they will understand if at all they would be ready to learn.

“Pronto, President Buhari in appreciating Governor Uzodimma and the good people of Imo State for the superlative host would want to be as prepared as the Governor and the State next time he is visiting so as not to be “surprised ” again.

“Only those who do not mean well for Imo State will travel this lane that the opposition chose to travel to tweak  Mr. President’s comment they know is absolute lie.

“Governor Uzodimma has done what no Igbo Governor, dead or living has been able to do with a sitting President’s invitation.

“I thought the opposition in Imo should be grateful for this rare feat, swallow their pride and commend him rather than destroying what is left of opposition politics. The earlier they realise that what they are doing is not about Governor Uzodimma the better for them.”

Veteran Actress, Iyabo Oko, Bedridden; Colleagues Solicit For Funds

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
Kudirat Eluyemi - Iyabo Oko

By Akinwale Kasali

Veteran Actress, Kudirat Eluyemi, popularly known as Iyabo Oko, has been off the radar. She took a sudden break from the acting scene.  This medium has gathered that her absence is a result of a stroke.

Reports say she lost her voice, weight and mobility. It was an unexpected illness as she suddenly discovered that she couldn’t talk any longer.

The once vibrant actress in the Yoruba movie industry became a shadow of herself.

She was at the Military Hospital, Yaba where she eventually regained her voice, but when she returned home, she lost it again.

One of her children took her to the U.K for treatment, where he employed a therapist who helped her to get her voice back, she later travelled to India where she got further treatment. She spent seven months in India and was adjudged okay. As a result of this ailment, Iyabo Oko spent 2 years away from the movie scene.

But now, her situation has worsened leading to her colleagues rallying around her, soliciting for help among themselves and well meaning Nigerians to bring her back to her feet.

Foluke  Daramola Salako, one of her colleagues in the Nollywood Industry, the Yoruba Group, took to her official social media handle to share photos and videos of Iyabo Oko.

Foluke wrote that the health condition of the veteran Actress has deteriorated.

She said she has been ill for over 5 years. And her family and a popular foundation have been fighting so hard to save her life.

Foluke solicited funds so that she can be given better treatment. She pleaded with fans and families to assist with the little they have so that Iyabo Oko can be healthy again.

She said, “She has been ill for over 5 years. Her family members, children and PARA foundation have been doing everything for her to get back on her feet, now the illness has relapsed. Her children even flew her abroad some months ago. Please we need your support. God bless you and your loved ones”.

Zamfara: Military Debunks Mass Graves Reports

By
Bayo Bernard
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0
Lucky Irabor CDS

By Tosin Olatokunbo

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has dismissed trending pictures and videos portraying that people allegedly killed by soldiers fighting arm bandits in Zamfara state were buried in mass graves in the state.

Sheikh Ahmed Gumi, a popular Islamic cleric had recently accused the Nigerian armed forces of killing innocent people rather than the bandits. The Islamic leader who had negotiated the release of many abductors in the past said, women and children are being killed by soldiers in the guise of neutralising the bandits in Zamfara and others states in the north where the bandits are in full operation.

The  military rebuttal also came amidst the state governor, Bello Matawalle’s resolve not to dialogue with bandits who are kidnapping people in the state for ransom.

The Governor said the military should go ahead to crush the criminals, even as security agencies make gains in the battle against the bandits whose activities almost crippled the state. There is no second chance of amnesty, the governor said after the initial dialogue with the bandits to lay down their arms failed.

The Director, Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Benjamin Sawyerr, dismissed the videos and pictures with the caption, “Alhamdulillah, Zamfara Must Secure” trending in several social media posts purportedly emanating from the ongoing military operations in the North-West and North-Central parts of the country.

Sawyer said in a statement, in Abuja on Sunday, that it has become necessary to put the record straight in the face of  false and malicious report which tend to portray the military in a bad light.

He said the report is capable of undermining the gains the Armed forces have made against the bandits recently, noting that the operations were being conducted in line with best practices and professionalism the armed forces are known for.

Sawyer said “these operations are conducted in strict compliance with the rules of armed conflicts, utmost professional manner, strict adherence to rules of engagement and respect for fundamental human rights and dignity.

“The viral pictures being circulated have nothing in common with the ongoing operations.

“This callous action of linking ongoing operations with falsehood is deliberate and thus seeks to tarnish the good image and reputation of the AFN,” he said.

The military spokesman stated that the military had been carrying out periodic media briefings where pictures of the operations were usually displayed to complement achievements in the ongoing operations.

He urge the public to disregard the gory pictures, assuring that the military would continue to perform its constitutional mandate of ensuring that the nation remained safe and peaceful for all law abiding citizens.

VAT: Former Deputy Senate President Warns NASS

By
Bayo Bernard
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0

By James Orji

Senator Ike Ekweremadu has advised the National Assembly not to intervene in the legal battle between Rivers and federal government over the collection of the Value Added Tax, VAT. He said the legal tussle which is now at the Court of Appeal should be allowed to run its full course.

Ekweremadu, a former Deputy Senate President said any intervention by the lawmakers would be prejudicial.

He said this on the crest of the Court of Appeal ruling directing parties in the issue to maintain status quo ante.

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers stste, had a fortnight ago accused the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS which collects VAT on behalf of the federal government of secretly writing a letter to NASS to amend the tax law to enable it have exclusive powers on collection of VAT.

If this is done, FIRS through the Tax Tribunal will have exclusive power to determine issue relating to tax collection.

Reacting to the issue, Ekweremadu who once served as the Chairman, Constitution Review Committee, CRC warned the NASS against undue intervention when the legal battle is already at an advanced stage at the appellate court.

He supports the Rivers and Lagos states which have already passed the law giving them powers to collect VAT in their respective states.

According to him, the legal tussle will settle the issue of equitable sharing of resources among states and federal government, adding that ‘the feeding bottle’ mentality where states depend mostly on federal allocation for survival must stop.

In a statement issued on Sunday by his media adviser, Uche Anichukwu, the senator representating Enugu said only  judiciary can reshape Nigeria’s federalism.

Ekweremadu said “I commend Governors Nyesom Wike and Babajide Sanwo-Olu, as well as the Rivers and Lagos Houses of Assembly for their courageous moves. It is by so doing that our Constitution or laws can be tested and our federalism strengthened.

“In April 2012, I delivered a lecture at the Osgoode Hall Law School, York University, Canada, entitled ‘Nigerian Federalism: A Case for a Review’ wherein I forewarned that Nigeria would surely run into stormy economic weather unless we reinvented our federalism, steering the country away from a military-imposed ‘feeding bottle federalism’ to one predicated on self-reliance, hard work, enterprise, and resourcefulness to catalyse national development and economic prosperity.

Many others have also made related calls. Unfortunately, few people were interested in what we were talking about.

“Although we achieved a number of successes, perhaps my worst experience at the helms of the constitutional amendment process was in the Seventh Assembly. We recorded the most elaborate amendments to our Constitution, including the rearrangement of the legislative lists to devolve more powers to the sub-national governments by moving certain items like aviation, railway, power, and stamp duty, among others to the Concurrent Legislative List. Unfortunately, the amendments were denied assent by the President,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mike Ozhekhome said the court of appeal ruling was misinterpreted to mean that it stopped Rivers state from collecting VAT. The senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN said contrary to suggestions, what the appellate court means by its ,’status quo ante’ ruling is that the state should go ahead to collect VAT in line with the Federal High court, Port Harcourt earlier ruling, pending when a superior ruling is made on the issue.

State Of The Nation: Sule Lamido Says The Country Bleeds

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0

By Akinwale Kasali

Former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, has decried the pathetic state of security in the nation.

Lamido lamented that the spate of insecurity in the nation under the President Muhammadu Buhari led All Progressives Congress, APC, administration is worrisome. The nation is bleeding, he said.

The Two term Governor of the North West State made this submission after meeting with former President Olusegun Obasanjo at his Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) residence, Abeokuta, Ogun State capital.

In a statement made available to the media, the Special Assistant on Media to the former President, Kehinde Akinyemi on Sunday, said that Obasanjo and Lamido are still committed to ensuring that Nigeria is out of the doldrums.

Lamido said, “How do we remain safe is the biggest problem and challenge now in this country, because now, nobody is safe again. Imagine, kidnapping three workers of Baba, a former President of the country? Who is safe again? He queried.

He disclosed that he had come to visit “his father and leader and my everything” after a very long time and I met him in a very high spirit and good health

“But, he told me that he’s now ageing and I responded that he’s not because we still need him in this country.

“And he said, Sule, I will do anything for Nigeria. That is very inspiring. That is why I like him and this reinforces my faith in my country, Nigeria.

“We discussed a number of issues, particularly on Nigeria, that he so loved. Honestly, no matter how down we go, we’ll rise again. But, obviously, it is bleeding now. It is bleeding,” Lamido lamented.

COVID-19: FG Relaxes Restrictions On Foreign Travellers

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
Boss Mustapha

By Akinwale Kasali

The  Federal Government has relaxed the restriction on foreign travellers without evidence of payment for their COVID-19 PCR test.

For months now, travellers have been mandated to produce their COVID-19 PCR test before being allowed to board at the International Airport, but this has become history following the decision of the Presidential Task Force Committee on COVID-19 led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha to scrap it

In a memo by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, foreign airlines were asked to board passengers without evidence of payment for day seven COVID-19 PCR test or generate paid QR code/permit to fly.

The memo dated September 11, 2021, and issued by Director-General of NCAA, Musa Nuhu, was titled “Permission for airlines to board passengers travelling to Nigeria who are unable to show evidence of payment for day seven COVID-19 PCR test or generate paid QR code/permit to fly”.

Nuhu said the decision was taken in view of the challenges some travellers to Nigeria are experiencing while trying to fill their Health and Travel history into Nigeria’s International Travel portal.

Earlier, foreign travellers were required to show proof of payment for their COVID-19 PCR test before they were boarded.

He, however, said such passengers would be required to make payment for the repeat day-7 COVID-19 PCR test at their destination airport in Nigeria.

The memo reads: “The Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 has been made aware of challenges some travelers are experiencing while trying to fill their Health and travel history into the Nigeria International Travel Portal.

“Airlines are thereby permitted to board any traveller to Nigeria who is unable to either pay for the repeat Day Seven COVID-19 PCR test or generate the paid QR code/ permit to fly.

“Such passengers will be required to make payment for the repeat Day Seven COVID-19 PCR test at their destination airport in Nigeria.

“Holders of Diplomatic passports and Children aged 10 years and below who are unable to complete NITP are to be allowed to board the flight.

“Their health declaration and travel history will be captured by the Port Health Services (PHS) at the destination airport.

“Airlines are to bring this information to the knowledge of the passenger and ensure strict compliance with above-stated conditions.”

Nigeria Demands Justice For Nigerian Lady Slain By Italian Husband

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
Pierangelo Pellizzar

By Akinwale Kasali

The Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NIDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has demanded for the immediate investigation and prosecution of Italian National, Pierangelo Pellizzar, who killed his Nigerian wife, Rita Amenze.

Dabiri-Erewa alongside the Nigerian Ambassador to Italy, Amb Mfawa Abam and the Nigerian Community in Italy, are perturbed by the sad event, and called for justice.

Giving an update on the sad event that happened over the weekend, the former House of Representative Memeber said that though the estranged husband of the late Nigerian, Pellizzar, has been arrested, but thorough investigations need to be carried out by the Italian Security agency.

In a statement in Abuja on Sunday signed by Head of Media, Public Relations and Protocol Unit, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Dabiri-Erewa said that the alleged killing of the housewife by her husband due to the fact that she filed for divorce was quite unfortunate and sad.

In the same vein, Nigerian Ambassador to Italy, Mfawa Omini Abam, said the death of the Nigerian was so pathetic, promising that the Embassy will ensure that a proper investigation is carried out.

It was gathered that the late Rita had filed for divorce which angered her embittered husband to carry out the heinous act of killing her.

Pellizzar, 61-years,  allegedly shot  31-year-old Rita four times in front of her colleagues in the parking lot of MFMushroom, a company where she worked on Friday morning, in Noventa Vincentina at about 7:30am until she died.

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