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Author: Vivian Emoni

  • RMAFC outgoing commissioners seek financial autonomy for commission

    RMAFC outgoing commissioners seek financial autonomy for commission

    Outgoing

    By Vivian Emoni

    Abuja, June 26, 2024 (NAN) The outgoing commissioners of Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), on Wednesday, called for financial autonomy to strengthen the commission for effective service delivery.

    The commissioners made the call during a valedictory session in honour of the 20 outgoing members of the commission, whose tenure expired on Wednesday.

    Speaking on their challenges while in office, the member who represented Benue, Mr Samuel Magbe, said that the commission was not well funded, which contributed to the low morale of staff members.

    “When you go out to monitor the activities of Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), the Central Bank, and so on, you see that there is a wide disparity between us and them.

    “But I hope that the President will do something about that for this commission to move forward,” Magbe said.

    Mr Adebayo Fari, the commissioner who represented Ogun State in the Commission, called for adequate funding and human capital development for the commission.

    “The issue has been moved by this administration under the leadership of our chairman, to actually do a lot of training.

    “Aside from that, I think there is still a need to recruit more hands in the areas of accounting, statistics, economics and tax administration, so that they can have the capacity to functions very well,” Fari said.

    Another outgone commissioner, Mr Modu Julur, who represented Yobe, said that RMAFC should be treated well because the commission was delivering services that were of immense benefits to the federation.

    “I think the government should first of all digitalise the RMAFC and ensure that it is well funded to carry out its activities effectively,” he said.

    The commissioners therefore called on relevant stakeholders to support the Bill on RMAFC’s Financial Autonomy, which was pending before he senate.

    According to them, the bill, among other issues, is recommending the review of the salaries of ambassadors and some political office holders.

    The bill is also seeking the review of the Federal Allocation Formula, staff training, and improvement of the general condition of the office.

    They said that the effort would help the commission to comfortably and effectively carry out its duties.

    Some of the members, who spoke during the occasion, eulogised the Chairman of the commission, Mr Mohammed Shehu, for the achievements recorded under his stewardship.

    Shehu, on his part, commended the outgoing members for their patriotism and commitment to nation-building, by ensuring that the commission attained a world class standard.

    He further noted the commissioners’ commitment to ensuring effective service delivery, in spite of RMAFC’s lean resources and poor funding.

    The chairman also recalled the extraordinary support that the commissioners rendered to the commission through their contribution to the various committees they served.

    ”It has been our wish to reposition RMAFC to become a world cclass revenue mobilisation commission.

    “Since we came here, we are still working in progress, we have tried, we are trying and we will continue to try,” Shehu said.

    He therefore prayed to God to reward the commissioners for their sacrifices; and wished that they would be reappointed so that they could continue to support the commission.

    The Secretary to the commission, Mr Nwaze Okechukwu, also praised Shehu for the achievements recorded under his watch, and described the tenure of the outgoing commissioners as worthwhile.

    Nweze also commended the Commissioners, noting that they were able to execute their national assignment successfully, and wished them success in their future endeavours.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the members were appointed on June 26, 2019 for a tenure of five years. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    VOE/DOR
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    Edited by Nyisom Fiyigon Dore

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  • FG to train 5m artisans, warns against quack training centres

     

    Training

    By Vivian Emoni

    Abuja, June 24, 2024 (NAN) The Federal Government has expressed commitment to empowering no fewer than five million artisans yearly.

    It also warned against quack training centres across the country.

    Dr Afiz Ogun, Director-General of Industrial Training Fund (ITF), said this at the inaugural meeting on Implementation of Skill Up Artisans (SUPA) programme for Executives of Enlisted Skills training Centers (ESTCs).

    Ogun said  the training was to upskill the talent of artisans in their various fields of profession.

    He said the training would have its phase of selection, adding that about 100 thousand artisans would be taken in each of the phases.

    He said the first phase would commence before the end of June, adding that the training would transform the skills acquisition space in Nigeria.

    “The training will be phase by phase and bit by bit; we will be selecting about 100,000 artisans for the training.

    “When we are through with the number, we select another phase, we must make sure we cover the five million artisans every year, just as the presidency directed us.

    “The names and various centres where the trainings will commence will be published in various national daily newspapers and training starts immediately.

    “The criteria for the training is that the person must be a Nigerian, all artisans are our candidates. Those who registered first will start the first phase.

    “The registration portal opened from January till March 15, 2024, we went out to all senatorial districts to out screen so that we can move ahead,” he said.

    The director-general said the aim of the programme was to work with relevant stakeholders, and that ITF would be onboarding to become the best skills training centers of international standards in Nigeria.

    “We will guarantee a steady stream of trainees for whom ITF will be financially responsible but side by side we will implement rigorous facility and process inspections to ensure that our standards are met.

    ” ITF is currently working out partnerships with the most reputable international awarding bodies so that certifications issued after our training programme will give graduands a variety of options in terms of work opportunities and employability both locally and globally.

    “The era of training just for the sake of it, or issuance of Certificate of Attendance/Competence is gone and gone for good.

    ” Every skills training undertaken by ITF must lead to reputable international certification which in turn, guarantees measurable improved livelihood of graduands,” he said.

    Ogun condemned the act of organising training centres by some people without requisite approval from the ITF.

    “Another point I must address is mushrooming of Skills Training Centers in Nigeria without requisite approval by ITF.

    “It is troubling to note that all over the country, persons undertake so-called trainings in both technical and vocational trainings without prior approval of their training curriculum, manual and programme by ITF.

    “As a result, there is no way to ascertain the quality of learning being passed on to graduands who pay exorbitant prices for these trainings.

    ” This has created a circle of entrenched quackery which ITF is set up to put an end to.

    “We now have an avalanche of foreign training institutions offering some kind of technical or vocational training without due approval of the programmes and processes.

    ” Even where such foreign set ups have the competence to undertake these trainings, their unregulated presence represents a loss of revenue by local players.

    “ITF will be issuing the necessary regulations on these subject matters very soon and our enforcement efforts will also commence in earnest.

    “Today signposts a new dawn at ITF and in the skills training space in Nigeria and we need all hands on deck  to turn the tide and change the narratives,” he said.

    Mr Ahmed Ibrahim, Coordinator, Nigerian Association of Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Practitioners (NARAP), also lauded the organisers of the training.

    “Particularly in the area of my own craft, which is refrigeration and air-conditioning, in the area of ozone depletion, if this training is centered toward handling of refrigerants and professionalism in refrigeration and air-conditioning, it will help”.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    VOE/CHOM/VIV

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    Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Vivian Ihechu

     

     

  • Number of drug users drops by 20.3% in China–report

     

    Drug

    By Vivian Emoni

    Beijing, June 19, 2024 (Xinhua/NAN) By the end of 2023, the number of drug users in China stood at 896,000, marking a 20.3 per cent decrease compared to the previous year.

    This is according to an official report.

    The 2023 situation report was issued by the office of China National Narcotics Control Commission on Wednesday.

    The report said that in 2023, there were about four million individuals, who had successfully abstained from drug use for three years, representing a 7.6 per cent increase compared to the previous year.

    “The country cracked a total of 42,000 drug-related criminal cases in 2023, apprehending 65,000 suspects and seizing 25.9 tonnes of various types of drugs.

    “In addition, a total of 938.5 tonnes of precursor chemicals used in drug production were seized nationwide in 2023, marking a 42.2 per cent increase year-on-year.

     

    “Since the beginning of 2024, China has strengthened control over the sources of precursor chemicals used in the production of drugs.

     

    “China has also adjusted the list of controlled chemical substances exported to specific countries and regions, and added 24 new controlled substances to the list,’’ the report said.

     

    Wei Xiaojun, the Executive Deputy Director of the Office, said that the overall situation regarding drugs in China was manageable.

     

    Xiaojun said that the narcotics control authorities would continue to improve the drug control system and actively engage in international cooperation in drug control. (Xinhua/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    VOE/GOM/EEE

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    Edited by Gregg Mmaduakolam/Ese E. Eniola Williams

     

     

     

  • China unveils new measures to deepen reform of STAR market

    China unveils new measures to deepen reform of STAR market

     

    Market

    By Vivian Emoni

    Beijing, June 19, 2024 (Xinhua/NAN) China’s top securities regulator on Wednesday rolled out new measures to deepen the reform of the Science and Technology Innovation Board (STAR) market to better serve sci-tech innovation.

     

    The new measures were also to promote the development of new quality productive forces, according to the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC).

     

    The measures include further supporting the listing of enterprises making breakthroughs in new industries, new business patterns, new technologies, and improving the pricing mechanisms for Initial Public Offerings (IPOs).

     

    Efforts will also be made to improve the financing of listed companies on the STAR board, optimise the trading mechanisms, strengthen monitoring, forestall market risks, as well as encourage merger, acquisition and restructuring,” the CSRC said.

     

    “Since its launch in 2019, the STAR market has become the preferred listing destination for “hard-tech” companies, with its magnetic appeal continuing to grow.

     

    “As of May 31, 2024 a total of 572 companies have been listed on the STAR market with a combined market capitalisation of 5.17 trillion yuan (about 726.5 billion dollars).

     

    “The total amount raised through IPOs has reached 909.1 billion yuan,’’ CSRC said.(Xinhua/NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    VOE/HA
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  • RMAFC wants full autonomy for local govt. councils

     

    Autonomy

    By Vivian Emoni

    Abuja, June 6, 2024 ( NAN) The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) on Wednesday called for full autonomy for Local Government Councils (LGCs) to ensure efficient governance in the country.

    The Chairman of the RMAFC, Mr Mohammed Shehu, made the call while addressing newsmane in Abuja.

    According to Shehu, the call backs the Federal Government in its ongoing efforts to free LGCs from the firm control of state governments through legal means by giving effect to the provisions of constitution.

    “The LGCs, as the third tier of government domesticated at the grassroots level, ought to be outside the control of state and Federal Governments as they were solely established to ensure effective governance at the grassroots level.

    “The constitution of Nigeria recognises federal, state, and local governments as three tiers of government and the three recognised tiers of government draw funds for their operation and function from the federation account created by the constitution,” he said.

    Shehu said that the state governments’ dominance over the affairs of LGCs emasculates their political, administrative and fiscal independence.

    He emphasised on the LGCs inability to provide quality service delivery in the area of infrastructure and social services to the grassroots as provided for in the constitution.

    He said that the political control of LGCs had made it virtually difficult and almost impossible for the masses to decide who becomes their leaders at that level of governance, which was closest to the people.

    He added that the commission believed that giving full autonomy to LGCs would reduce the rate of poverty, rural-urban migration, and bring more dividends of democracy to the people.

    “This will attract more qualified candidates for council elections that will improve the governance system at all levels in the long run.

    “Full autonomy will engender good governance, transparency and accountability at the local level.

    “ Security challenges like banditry, kidnappings, terrorism, electoral violence, among others will reduce to the barest minimum if the quantum of funds meant for local governments is channeled towards rural development.”

    “ This will raise agricultural productivity, increase income generation, arrest rural-urban migration, create wealth and generally improve the socio-economic living conditions of the rural populace,” he said.

    The chairman said that the current spate of insecurity in all parts of the country could be arrested if LGCs are granted full autonomy.

    He said that as local government administration was the closest level of government for effective participation of population in the country in its governance system, it would avail the local population greater independence to determine their development needs.

    He emphasised the importance of granting full autonomy to LGCs, allowing them to recruit, manage staff, raise finances, make bylaws, and discharge their functions without state government interference.

    According to him, this will ensure their full bureaucratic autonomy.

    Shehu said that financial autonomy of local government entailed the freedom to impose local taxation, generate revenue within its assigned sources.

    He added that allocating its financial and material resources,  would determine and authorise its annual budgets without external interference.

    “It will relate to the disposition of tax powers, retention of revenue, and methods adopted in sharing centrally collected revenue by the constitutional responsibilities of all levels of government.

    According to Shehu, it is worth noting that the constitution made it explicitly clear that there must be a democratically elected local government system in place.

    “The constitution has not made provisions for any other systems of governance at the local government level other than democratically elected local government system.

    “It is the position of the RMAFC that local governments should be granted fiscal autonomy by paying statutory allocations from the federation account directly to their coffers.

    “The commission, therefore, fully supports the ongoing suit instituted by the Federal Government asking for an order permitting the funds standing in the credits of local governments to be directly channeled to them from the Federation Account”.

    He said that RMAFC would continue to be a strategic partner in the efforts to reposition local government councils to discharge their constitutional responsibilities in the country.

    He, therefore, called on Civil Society Organisations, (CSOs) and the media to be at the forefront of efforts to ensure that local government autonomy becomes a reality in Nigeria. (NAN)(www.nan.ng)

     

    VOE/VIV

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    Edited by Vivian Ihechu