The federal government has been accused of mismanaging over 60 taxes and levies collected across the country.

The Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, made these allegations during a Senate plenary session on Wednesday.

Oyedele claimed that despite collecting over 60 taxes and levies, the government has little to show for it.

Oyedele made these allegations during a Senate plenary session on Wednesday.

The allegations came amidst a tense Senate session, where lawmakers protested the entry of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Chair, Zacch Adedeji, and his consultants.

The lawmakers suspended its rules to admit Adedeji and the consultants to explain what the Tax Reform Bill entailed.

Oyedele, however, noted that “the fiscal system we have today inhibits growth as more than 60 taxes and levies are collected from across the country but nothing to show for it.”

He added that the FG intends to put an end to the situation in which Nigerian businesses are forced to pay tax even when they are losing money.

“We do not want to tax capital or poverty but investment. We are beginning to lose our tax base to other countries. This is why it is urgent to reform the tax system,” Oyedele added.

Meanwhile, the Senate declined to ask questions and decided to postpone further discussion on the tax reform bill until the next legislative session before a final resolution is taken.

Recalled that Oyedele had previously noted the complexity of the tax system in Nigeria, noting, “There are approximately 60 official taxes and over 200 unofficial taxes, including taxes on deceased individuals.”

“The solution isn’t simply to distribute food or cash, We must harmonise our tax collection processes. We are committed to improving how we collect taxes.”

Manchester United is actively exploring options to strengthen their attack, as the team continues to struggle for goals under new head coach Ruben Amorim.

The Red Devils have managed only 13 goals in 12 Premier League matches this season, leading to concerns over their lack of firepower up front.

According to a report by Sky Germany, two Super Eagles strikers—Victor Osimhen and Victor Boniface—are among the four players on Manchester United’s shortlist.

The other contenders are Eintracht Frankfurt’s Omar Marmoush and Paris Saint-Germain’s Randal Kolo Muani.Victor Osimhen, currently on loan at Galatasaray from Napoli, is one of the standout names.

The Nigerian international has hit impressive form, scoring eight goals in 10 matches this season. Osimhen, who left Napoli after a controversial transfer saga, has a release clause set at £63 million.

His prolific goal-scoring ability and experience in European competitions make him a prime target for the Red Devils.Omar Marmoush, another strong candidate, has been in red-hot form for Eintracht Frankfurt, scoring 11 goals in 11 Bundesliga matches.

The Egyptian international’s versatility and clinical finishing make him an attractive prospect. Frankfurt has reportedly valued Marmoush at around £50 million, making him a slightly less expensive option compared to Osimhen.

Victor Boniface, another Nigerian on the list, has been equally impressive. The striker has notched eight goals in 15 matches across all competitions this season.

Boniface played a key role in Bayer Leverkusen’s Bundesliga title win last season, scoring 14 goals in 23 league appearances.

His consistent performances in Germany have drawn attention, but he remains an outside contender.Randal Kolo Muani, who joined PSG for £77 million last year, rounds out the shortlist.

Despite his high-profile transfer, the French forward has struggled for regular game time, starting just two matches this season.

PSG is reportedly open to either a loan move or a permanent sale, which could pave the way for United to make a move.

Manchester United’s current strikers have failed to deliver. Summer signing Rasmus Højlund has scored only twice, hampered by injuries and inconsistent form.

Joshua Zirkzee has found the net just once in 18 appearances since joining from Bologna for £36.5 million.As Ruben Amorim looks to address United’s attacking woes, securing a proven goalscorer in the January transfer window will be crucial for their hopes of salvaging the season.

Players and officials of nine-time African champions Nigeria have started arriving in the city of Angers, France from Wednesday morning, ahead of Saturday’s much-anticipated international friendly game between the Super Falcons and the Les Bleues.

It is the second time both teams will engage in a friendly encounter – the first being a forgettable experience for the Falcons as they lost by eight goals in freezing weather inside Le Mans’ Stade Marie-Marvingt on 6^th April 2018.

Only goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, who plays her club football in France, and Mexico- based defender Osinachi Ohale, remain from that squad that was undone by, among other things, a hat-trick from Valérie Gauvin and an own goal by defender Faith Ikidi-Michael.

The defeat equalled the Falcons’ biggest-ever defeats – by Norway at the 1995 FIFA World Cup finals in Sweden and by Germany in a friendly in Leverkusen’s Bay Arena on 25^th November 2010.

However, clashes at the FIFA World Cup finals have been much closer, with the Falcons losing by the odd goal against the Les Bleues in Germany in 2011, and by the same margin at the Roazhon Park when both sides clashed at the 2019 finals hosted by France.

The consummation of Saturday’s encounter is further confirmation of the Ibrahim Musa Gusau-led administration’s commitment to fully blood a new Super Falcons’ squad, by implementing a process of exposure and experience-garnering for the new squad, following an under-par outing at the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament in France this summer.

The big game with the Les Bleues comes up only five weeks after the first of two friendly matches with Algeria’s Green Ladies in Nigeria (2-0 and 4-1 wins), and eight days after the Super Falcons learnt they would be playing Tunisia, Algeria and Botswana in the group phase at the 13^th Women AFCON in Morocco next summer.

Saturday’s match will commence at 9.30pm France time, same time as in Nigeria.

SUPER FALCONS FOR LES BLEUES CHALLENGE:

Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC, France); Anderline Mgbechi (Rivers Angels); Rachael Unachukwu (Nasarawa Amazons)

Defenders: Osinachi Ohale (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico); Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA); Ashleigh Plumptre (Ittihad Ladies, Saudi Arabia); Rofiat Imuran (London City Lioness, England); Sikiratu Isah (Nasarawa Amazons); Oluwatosin Demehin (Galatasaray Sportive, Turkey)

Midfielders: Jennifer Echegini (Paris Saint Germain, France); Toni Payne (Everton Ladies, England); Josephine Mathias (Nasarawa Amazons); Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal); Shukurat Oladipo (FC Robo Queens); Adoo Yina (Nasarawa Amazons)

Forwards: Blessing Nkor (Pyramids FC, Egypt); Gift Monday (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa (Spain); Ifeoma Onumonu (Montpellier FC, France); Omorinsola Babajide (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa (Spain); Mercy Omokwo (Bayelsa Queens)

Pastor Tonye Cole, a former governorship candidate in Rivers State, has stated that Nigerian refineries cannot sell a litre of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) for ₦700 or less at this point in time.

He made this assertion on Tuesday during an interview on Channels Television, shortly after the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) announced that the Port Harcourt refinery had begun refining crude oil.

The NNPCL disclosed that the Port Harcourt refinery would start operations at 60 percent capacity, producing 60,000 barrels per day. Additionally, the company revealed that the Warri refinery would soon commence petroleum product production.

Despite these positive developments, Cole, a prominent businessman and politician, highlighted the challenges that still persist, particularly regarding the importation of machinery and components necessary for refining operations.

Cole emphasized that the price at which PMS is currently sold in Nigeria remains lower than the cost of importing a similar volume of fuel.

He explained, “The price being sold in Nigeria is lower than what an imported cargo would land at.” This disparity, he noted, discourages most businesses from importing fuel, thereby reducing pressure on Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves.

He further explained that Nigerians are already benefiting from reduced fuel importation as the local consumption of petroleum products has declined.

“The volume of consumption in Nigeria has dropped, and as a result, the pressure you used to have on foreign exchange has gone down because we’re no longer importing that much,” Cole said.

He also pointed out that crude oil transactions are conducted in naira, which has brought some relief to the economy.

“What you’re selling is in naira; naira is what you use in buying crude, so we’re already feeling the impact of that,” he added.

However, Cole stressed that achieving a PMS price below ₦700 remains unrealistic due to the structural and economic challenges in the industry.

He explained that while the refineries are operational, there are still significant costs associated with the imported components used during their refurbishment.

“All the things that were refurbished at the refinery were refurbished with products and machinery brought in from outside the country,” he stated.

This reliance on imported materials adds a substantial foreign exchange component to production costs.

In conclusion, Cole underscored the complexities of the situation, noting that the current pricing reflects broader economic realities.

Until Nigeria reduces its dependence on imported machinery and strengthens its local refining capacity, achieving a significant reduction in PMS prices will remain a daunting task.

The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has announced its readiness to shut down all public polytechnics across Nigeria following the Federal Government’s failure to address its demands.

The union, which has expressed growing frustration with the government’s inaction, has resolved to commence an indefinite strike starting December 2, 2024.

Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, the Chairman of ASUP’s Kaduna Polytechnic Chapter, Comrade Abubakar J. Abdullahi, reiterated the union’s position, emphasizing the need for urgent action to resolve the systemic challenges plaguing polytechnic education in the country.

This announcement follows a 15-day ultimatum issued by the union on October 6, 2024, outlining critical demands aimed at improving the state of polytechnic education. Despite the ultimatum, the government has yet to respond to the union’s concerns.

Comrade Abubakar listed key demands, including the release of the second tranche of the NEEDS Assessment Intervention Fund.

This fund is crucial for addressing infrastructural deficits and improving the quality of education in polytechnics.

He also called for the immediate implementation of the approved 25/35% salary review for polytechnic staff, a measure designed to enhance staff welfare and align their earnings with current economic realities.

Additionally, the union demands the payment of accrued salary arrears owed to its members, some of which have been outstanding for years.

“Regrettably, as we passed the deadline of this ultimatum, we are yet to see the necessary actions from the Federal Government to address these pressing demands,” Abubakar stated. He expressed disappointment over the lack of engagement or tangible progress, describing the government’s silence as a clear indication of neglect toward polytechnic education and its workforce.

Abubakar warned that the union would have no choice but to embark on a total shutdown of polytechnic institutions nationwide if the government fails to act promptly.

“The silence and inaction have left us with no option but to consider the possibility of a total shutdown of our institutions on December 2nd, 2024, should our concerns remain unaddressed,” he said.

The looming strike threatens to disrupt academic activities in public polytechnics, affecting thousands of students and staff across the country.

ASUP’s demands highlight long-standing issues in Nigeria’s polytechnic system, including inadequate funding, poor staff remuneration, and decaying infrastructure.

The union has called on the government to demonstrate its commitment to education by meeting these demands and averting a strike that could further destabilize the sector.

As December 2 approaches, the nation awaits a response from the Federal Government, with stakeholders urging a resolution to avoid another protracted shutdown in the education sector.

The Port Harcourt Refining  Company Limited (PHRC) on Tuesday began the first tuck-out of petroleum products in view of the re-streaming of the rehabilitated facility.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the re-streaming and truck loading signaled the commencement of crude oil processing from the plant and delivery of petroleum products to the market.

The old refinery is currently operating at 70 per cent of its installed 60,000 barrels per day (bpd) capacity, with plans to ramp up to 90 per cent.

The refinery is producing the following daily outputs: Straight-Run Gasoline (Naphtha): Blended into 1.4 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS or petrol), Kerosene: 900,000 litres, Automotive Gas Oil (AGO or Diesel): 1.5 million litres.

Others are Low Pour Fuel Oil (LPFO): 2.1 million litres and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), Additional volumes.

NAN reports that the trucks began loading petroleum products which include PMS, AGO and Kerosene, while other product slates will be dispatched as well.

Malam Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.), while marking its first products lifting said the plant would be producing about 200 trucks of products daily.

Kyari described the commencement of loadout activities as a monumental achievement for Nigeria which signified a new era of energy independence and economic growth for the country.

In the bid to ease the distribution of the products, Kyari said the refinery’s access road was captured under the roads being renovated under the road tax credit scheme for improved infrastructure and smooth product delivery.

Meanwhile, some petroleum marketers who witnessed the first loading of petroleum products, lauded the NNPC Ltd. for achieving the milestone after many years of being moribund.

Dr Joseph Obele, the National Public Relations Officer (PRO), Petroleum Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) expressed optimism that with the coming on stream of the refinery, fuel price would be reviewed.

“Indeed, it is a dream come true, the plant is up and running. I commend the NNPC Ltd and the host community for realising this project. Marketers now have hope of loading products here,” he said.

High Chief Sunny Nkpe, a community leader and Managing Director Wesham Oil Ltd, said the development would further contribute to the economic development and energy sustainability.

He called for the crude oil processing from the plant to be sustained for Nigerians to feel the impact.

Also speaking, Mr Johnbosco Bosco, the Chairman, Petroleum Tankers Driver (PTD) Branch of  the Ngeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), thanked the Federal Government for putting smiles on their faces.

“We are ready to partner with the NNPC Ltd. to ensure that petroleum products reach designated destination.

“We also want to see that this trend to continue, we want to be loading regularly in this refinery,” he said.

The CEO of Matrix Energy, Abdukabiru Aliyu also expressed delight over the development and urged the NNPC Ltd to sustain it.