FG propose bill for Nigerians to pay 9% tax on calls, SMS, MMS, Data, others

Minister of Communication, Bayo Shittu, yesterday disclosed that the Federal government is proposing to introduce a bill called the Communication Service Tax CST bill which seeks to levy 9% on telecommunication subscribers for users of various communication services such as voice call, SMS, MMS, Data usage from telecommunication service providers, internet service providers and Pay TV Stations.

Avengers: Allegations against GEJ have refused to go away- Lai Mohammed

Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has reacted to reports that the Federal government had begun investigations into the alleged links of former President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife Patience to the Niger Delta Avengers.

In a telephone interview with Daily Trust, Lai Mohammed said he was not aware of the investigations but that the allegations against the former president have refused to go away "These allegations have refused to go away and those making the allegations are not backing out. So I will not be surprised if the security agencies show interest in it but I am not aware” he said

Lagos state govt to remove three roundabouts on Lekki-Epe Expressway

The Lagos state government has announced plans to remove the 4th Roundabout (Elegushi); 5th Roundabout (Jakande) and the 8th Roundabout (VGC) as part of measures to decongest traffic in that area of the state.

Niger Delta Avengers reportedly agree to dialogue with FG

Militant group, Niger Delta Avengers, have reportedly agreed to dialogue with the Federal government to find a solution to the lingering crisis in the Niger Delta region. This development is contained in a statement released today by the spokesman for the dialogue group, Ballantyne Agiri. The statement in part reads:

“The body has collectively and willingly agreed to heed the clarion call of eminent Nigerians and international community to dialogue with the Federal Government. The federal government should from the inception of the dialogue rule out from the agenda any monthly monetary inducement or stipend for the NDA.

The federal government should be ready for structural changes that should be human and development oriented. Members of the avengers’ group (who will participate in the dialogue) have already been selected, each based on his integrity, forthrightness, honesty and life track records. The names of members of the group for now shall not be made public for personal reasons until they begin functioning in few days ahead.”

Another court order stops PDP from holding its National Convention tomorrow

Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court in Abuja today gave an order stopping the Ahmed Makarfi-led PDP faction from holding its National Convention slated for tomorrow August 17th in Port Harcourt, Rivers state. Justice Okon gave the order while delivering judgement on an application by embattled factional chairman of the party, Ali Modu Sheriff seeking to stop the convention.

“An order of interlocutory injunction is hereby made restraining the defendants, any of them, their servant agents from conducting the national convention of PDP and supervising and monitoring same under any guise or electing any national officer of the defendant pending the determination of the substantive suit. An order of Interlocutory injunction is hereby made restraining PDP from presenting anybody and sponsoring any person for election and holding any national convention or conference in the purpose of electing any national officers of the second defendants. An order of Interlocutory injunction is hereby made restraining INEC from monitoring the national convention of PDP scheduled for Port Harcourt on 17th August.”

Justice Abang also ordered INEC and the police from monitoring the election.

Oil exploration: Northern governors employ British firm

The 19 state governors in the Northern region have employed the services of a British firm to carry out exploration activities in the region. This move comes two weeks after the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Maikanti Baru, announced that President Buhari had directed the corporation to intensifies it search for crude oil in the North-East.

The Chairman, Northern Nigeria Development Company, owned by the 19 northern state governments, Bashir Dalhatu, said the company had commenced its prospects for oil and gas in the Lake Chad and Benue basins, using the services of the British company.

Dalhatu disclosed this during a meeting with the Katsina state governor, Aminu Masari yesterday August 15th.

Alleged budget padding: Chief Whip, Alhassan Ado Boguwa threatens to sue Abdulmumin Jibrin for slander

Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, Alhassan Ado Doguwa, has threatened to sue sacked chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation, Abdulmumin Jibrin, for indicting him in the controversial budget padding scandal. In a statement he released, Doguwa said he will be suing Jibrin for slander. His statement reads in part;

“With this clear violation of our extant internal code of legislative conduct, which must attract legislative sanctions against Honourable Jibrin, Nigerians should know that all sorts of statements and pronouncements made by Honourable Jibrin were mere sham and misrepresentations of facts. He has lost out his campaign of calumny against the House. He has also lost out with the executive arm of government and our great party, the All progressives congress (APC). Having realised that he is already consumed, he is now resorting to court options, which I believe, he would lose out as well. Our respected judiciary would never fall victim of his misrepresentations. I finally want to categorically state that whichever steps the House may take on Honourable Jibrin on resumption in September, I Honourable Alhassan Ado Doguwa, would in my personal capacity, definitely charge Honourable Jibrin to court for slander. He has maligned and defamed my hard-earned reputation and integrity. No matter what the House decides on Jibrin, I will never step on my responsibility to protect my good name and seek redress through our conventional courts”, the statement read