THE NATION FRIDAY, AUGUST 23, 2013
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NEWS
Excess crude cash shrinks to $5.1bn
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ESERVES in the Excess Crude Account (ECA) shrunk to $5.1 billion following the withdrawal of N115 billion from it to augment revenue shortfall for the July Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) disbursements to the federal, states and local governments. Minister of State for Finance Dr. Yerima Lawan Ngama told reporters after a belated FAAC meeting in Abuja yesterday that it became necessary to draw from the ECA because of a massive drop in revenue from N863.026 billion received in June 2013 to N497.984 billion
Nduka Chiejina, Abuja
in July. Ngama attributed the fall in revenue to continuous theft of crude oil, leakages, pipeline vandalism at various terminals, HP compressor failure and repair work. Another reason the minister gave is the downward review of some companies’ estimates and a judgment debt by the Tax Appeal Tribunal on Education Tax, which reduced the Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT) paid into the Federation Account for the month. Also, mineral revenue for July was put at N361.935 billion,
•July salary may be delayed representing a shortage of N136.122 billion from the N465.057 billion budgeted for the month. Civil servants in both federal and state employments may have to wait a little longer to get paid this month because, as the minister explained, the lateness in holding the July FAAC meeting was due to the National Council of Finance and Economic Development (NACOFED) meeting, which took place earlier in the month in Minna, the Niger State capital.
For last month, total revenue distributable for the month, including Value Added Tax (VAT), is N715.845 billion. From this, the net statutory revenue available for distribution after payment of collection costs to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), both of which received N4.1 billion and N2.3 billion respectively, was put at N477.049 billion, representing a N113.457 billion shortfall. From this amount, the Federal Government got N227.516
billion, States, N145.39 billion while local governments went away with N88.96 billion. The sum of N45.1 billion was shared to oil and gas producing states as derivation fund. For the VAT distribution, the federal government got N10.6 billion; states, N35.6 billion; andlocal governments, N24.9 billion. Also distributed was the N7.617 billion Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) indebtedness to the federation account as well as N35.549 billion under the Subsidy-Reinvestment Programme (SURE-P).
Ex-Lagos judge buried By Joseph Jibueze
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FORMER Judge of the Lagos State High Court, Justice Abdul Leigh Balogun, who died at 84, has been buried. Balogun, who retired in 1993 after 17 years on the bench, died on Wednesday. He was buried yesterday at the Vaults and Gardens Cemetery, Ikoyi. A funeral service was conducted at the Chapel of the Cemetery by The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG). The deceased’s son, Justice Christopher Balogun of the Lagos State High Court, Igbosere, said the decision to bury his father almost 24 hours after his death was in line with his father’s wish. At the burial were Justice Peter Ige of the Court of Appeal; Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lagos branch, Mr. Alex Muoka; a member of the Lagos State Judicial Service Commission, Chief Kunle Uthman; former NBA Assistant National Publicity Secretary Gbolahan Gbadamosi; serving and retired judges, among others.
•Winner of a brand new Mercedes Benz 500, Miss. Blessing Fubara (middle), receiving the key from the Director, Consumer Segment, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Oluwole Rawa (left) and Head, Regulation and Monitoring, Lagos Headquarters of the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC), Mr. Jude Ughuwajabo at the second monthly prize presentation of the ongoing Etisalat/FC Barcelona Promo at the Etisalat office in Ikoyi...yesterday. PHOTO: ISAAC JIMOH AYODELE.
Akeredolu welcomes defectors to APC Senator: I remain in APC
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HE candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in last year’s governorship election in Ondo State, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), has welcomed former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftains into the All Progressives Congress (APC). He said the APC holds a realistic promise of redemption for the masses. In a statement, the former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President said: “The fact that the leaders are not known to be frivolous and their continued relevance as grassroots politicians is not in doubt shows the qual-
By Joseph Jibueze
ity of the personalities who embrace the APC’s philosophy of change. APC is the party with the largest assemblage of progressive politicians in the country. “I congratulate former Secretary to the State Government (SSG) D.I. Kekemeke, Mr. Tunde Alake, Prof. Olu Aboluwoye, Mr. Ojajuni Philip, Mrs.Yejide Ogundipe, Mr. Olatunde Femi and Mr.Ifeanyi Odili, among others, for their courage and exemplary conduct. It takes a man of conviction to take such a momentous decision in this clime. “It is our hope that they will join other well-meaning mem-
bers of the APC to wrest our dear state from the shackles of a visionless and deceitful government. The division among progressive forces in the country is directly responsible for the perpetuation of misery engendered by abject want in the lives of our people. “We call on other progressives, who still harbour apprehension as regards the mission and vision of the APC, to join those who are truly desirous of bringing about quality change in the polity. The Nigerian project must be rescued from clueless elements, who lack basic understanding with respect to governance.”
Lagos explains ‘deportation’ procedure
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HE Lagos State government yesterday explained its welfare policy, including the resettlement of indigent persons to their states. It said only people who express a desire to return to their states were helped to return. It said before they are resettled with their families, such persons are housed, cleaned up, fed, given medical treatment when needed, and asked how the government could assist them. The Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Justice, Alhaji Lawal Pedro (SAN), spoke on behalf of Governor Babatunde Fashola at the Christian Law-
By Joseph Jibueze
yers Association of Nigeria (CLASFON) National Conference in Lagos. The theme of the event was: “Arise and Build”. A paper was delivered on: “Security components for sustainable national growth: Enhancing the macro and micro quotients”. Pedro said the government was making efforts to ensure that people coming into Lagos do not constitute security threats to residents. On how the destitute are resettled, he said: “We rehabilitate them, feed them and ask them what they want. Sometimes, what they want is
money to return to their home states to be with their families. The least we can do is to help them find their route.” Police Commissioner Umar Manko thanked the state government for equipping the police through the Security Trust Fund. He said the command had received ammunition and over 300 vehicles from the state government in the past one year. Manko said: “That is why there is relative peace in Lagos. If this nation wants security, we must pay for it.” He said an average policeman is well-trained, but cannot perform without equipment.
From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti
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ENATOR Bode Ola has said he is still a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Ola, a former representative of Ekiti-Central Federal Constituency, spoke in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, at a local government meeting of the APC. He said politics has “an up and down side”, adding that a faithful politician would see both sides as possibilities in his/her efforts to serve the people. Ola said although he has “a legitimate grouse”, he has decided to rest “every ill feeling” so that the party can move forward. He said: “I am here to tell members of our great party that I remain part of you. I do not have any other party. Only progressive thinkers can align with a progressive party like the APC. “The party is greater than any individual. The rumor that I have left the party is unfair. It has been circulating since after the 2011 primary election. It was the strategy of opponents, who were desirous of forcing me out of the party. “I am not here to praise or condemn Governor Kayode Fayemi. As a Christian, I often pray for him to succeed as a leader as urged by Timothy 2: 1-2. “The experience I had with the party has come and gone. The party will make restitution at the appropriate time. What I want is a greater interest in the unity of the party facilitated by both leaders and members. Only this can assure the success of the party now and in the future.” APC Chairman in Ado Local Government Pa David Adigun described Ola as one of the reliable politicians in Ado-Ekiti. He, however, complained that Ola stayed away from the party for too long. A chieftain of the party, Chief Bisi Egbeyemi, said “Ola’s legacy will live long in the party and with members”.
Community instals monarch amid confusion From Damisi Ojo, Akure
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HE controversy over the stool of Igoba in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State deepened yesterday with the installation of a new Obalogun, Oba Bosede Bamidele. The deposed monarch, Samuel Jayeoba, insisted that he remains on the throne, stressing that it was strange for some “fake kingmakers” to remove him “illegally”. The Local Government Chairman, Mr. Olu Adeluku, declared the selection of the new Balogun null and void, warning that he would not condone any act that could threaten the community’s peace. Jayeoba was removed for alleged misconduct. Bamidele was yesterday installed by the kingmakers after necessary rituals and prayers were conducted. One of the kingmakers, Chief Johnson Aladegbaye, said: “Ifa endorsed him before his selection. Oba Bamidele has the full backing of the “Iare”, the highest hierarchy of kingmakers, and the Council of Obas in Akure North, under the chairmanship of the Okiti of Iju, Oba Amos Farukanmi.” Oba Bamidele said: “I am now the recognised Obalogun. My predecessor was removed because he refused to show remorse for his wrong doings.” He said the kingmakers did not contact the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs before removing his predecessor because it was not within the purview of the ministry, but that of Akure North Local Government Council.
Undergraduate runs amock in Ibadan From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan
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EOPLE in Eleyele, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, yesterday watched with pity as a young man lost his sanity. The incident happened shortly before noon around Eleyele Roundabout. The man, who wore a jean trouser and a multi-colour Teeshirt, was said to have alighted from a taxi and headed towards a bread seller near the road. Eyewitnesses said he started uttering incoherent statements after buying a loaf of bread and later tore his clothes. Noticing the unusual behaviour, some sympathisers were said to have rushed to his help when he fell into a drain. They reportedly took him to an unknown destination. Though his identity could not be confirmed as at press time, the bread seller said he is a student of the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State. She expressed surprise at the development and prayed for his healing. Traders in the area said the young man was of average height.
Man held for ‘attempted kidnap’
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25-year-old man, Tosin Ajayi, was yesterday arrested by officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, for “attempting to kidnap” Benjamin Okizi (14). Tosin, who lives at No.2, Idemo Street in Ado Ekiti, is
From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti
being held at the NSCDC headquarters. Tosin and another suspect at large allegedly stopped Benjamin, who was said to be running an errand for his mother in Adebayo, and started ques-
tioning him. They allegedly took the money the boy had on him and were about forcing him on a motorcycle when passers-by, including Benjamin’s mother’s landlady, intervened. Tosin was arrested but the other suspect escaped.