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A bill for an act to repeal the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Act on Wednesday scaled through second reading in the Senate.
This followed the presentation of the lead debate by the sponsor and Senate Leader, Yahaya Abdullahi during plenary.
The proposed new law is entitled “Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria Bill, 2020”.
The Senate is set to repeal the 16 year-old Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria Act CAP F5 LFN 2004 and enact a new law in its place in order to engender effective management of the nation’s airports.
According to the new legislation, it requires anyone who intends to construct aerodrome to seek the permission of the FAAN as a pre-condition, among others.
Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, consequently referred the Bill to the Committee on Aviation for further legislative inputs and report back in four weeks.
In another development, the Senate is currently considering a Bill for the establishment of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) as an independent Federal Government agency.
This will be responsible for determining the probable cause of all transportation accidents and serious incidents.
The Bill, which is also sponsored by the Senate Leader, if passed into law, would similarly empower the agency to publish findings and make the necessary recommendations to operators, regulators and the general public to promote transportation safety in the country.
In a lead debate on the Bill, Abdullahi recalled that the proposed legislation scaled the First Reading on Nov. 21, 2019.
He noted that in Nigeria, the main modes of transportation were land and air with the recent development and return to the railway system.
“The undesirable risks associated with all modes of transportation include the occurrence of accidents and incidents which may endanger lives and damage property.
“It is, therefore, incumbent upon the state to ensure user safety and provide the appropriate framework by which any safety deficiencies in our transport network system can be thoroughly, objectively and independently investigated with a view to preventing reoccurrences.
“The objective of ensuring safety is best achieved through Research and Investigations into all incidents and accidents conducted by a duly appointed and recognised Authority.
” The outcomes of such investigations would enable the development of appropriate policies and codes of practice, as well as public awareness, with the aim of ensuring acceptable National Transportation Safety standards and practices,” Abdullahi said.
He added that the current practice where regulators and transport operators are involved in the investigative processes of their own incidents, compromises the integrity of the investigations and does not conform to the globally recognised standards.
“Furthermore, the fact that the occurrences of these incidents persist is evidence of the deficiency in the current structure.
“To ensure efficiency and effectiveness in this pursuit, there is a need to create a unified body which is completely independent (in its organisation, operation and decision making processes) from the transport operators.
Edited By: Saidu Adamu/Sadiya Hamza
Source: NAN
The Osun Police Command on Thursday ordered commanding officers, head of divisions and departments under the state command, to take actions in identifying, arresting and prosecuting persons in possession of prohibited firearms in the state.
According to a press statement by the state Police Spokesperson, SP Opalola Yemisi, the directive was in compliance with the order of the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, in ensuring a serene society and enforcing law and order in the state.
It was also in curbing the proliferation of prohibited firearms in the state.
“The Osun Commissioner of Police, Adie Undie, has ordered Divisional Police Officers, Head of Departments, Operational Commanders and their supervisory Area Commanders to immediately initiate appropriate actions to identify, disarm, arrest and prosecute any person(s) or group(s) in possession of prohibited firearms.
“The directives become necessary against the backdrop of the deliberate arming and movement of criminal elements across the state.
” In addition, the directive is targeted at addressing the proliferation and unlawful possession of prohibited firearms in the state which is contrary to the provisions of Chapter F.28 LFN 2004 of the Firearms Act.
“In a similar vein, all Area Commanders and their DPOs have been directed to immediately convene an enlightenment meeting of all vigilante groups and quasi security outfits across the state in order to ensure that their activities are in conformity with the extant laws guiding their establishment and operations”.
It is in view of this,that the CP advices person and groups in possession of prohibited firearms to immediately submit same in their interest .
“The CP, while observing that several civil groups, vigilantes, quasi states and regional security outfits under various guises are arming themselves with prohibited firearms and weapons in contravention of the provisions of the Firearms Act, notes that the trend if unchecked, will pose serious threat.
“Therefore, members of the public are urged to report any individual(s) or group of person(s) in possession of prohibited firearms to the nearest police station or call the following State Police Control Room Numbers: 08039537995, 08123823980 and 08075872433.
“The CP enjoins citizens to cooperate and collaborate with the Police in the enforcement of this order as it is aimed at guaranteeing safety of lives and property in the state.” the statement added.
Edited By: Angela Okisor/Ismail Abdulaziz (NAN)
A 33-year-old man, Abhademenre Sylvester, who allegedly drove recklessly and killed four cows on Wednesday, appeared in a Chief Magistrates’ Court in Edo.
The police charged Sylvester with two counts of reckless driving and negligence.
The Prosecution Counsel, Insp. Charity Asemota, told the court that Sylvester committed the offence on Feb. 18, on the Benin-Agbor road.
Asemota said that the defendant, who drove a truck with registration No. Edo Ben 254 ZU in a recklessly and negligently manner which was dangerous to the public, hit and killed four cows, valued at N740,000.
She said the cows killed are the property of Alhaji Luckman Garuba.
The offence, she said, contravenes the priovisions of Section 28(1) of the Road Traffic Act Cap 548LFN 2004 and 495(b) of the Criminal Code, Cap. 48, Vol. 11, Law of the defunct Bendel State of Nigeria, 1976, now applicable in Edo.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty.
Chief Magistrate Mutairu Oare admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N80, 000, with a responsible surety in like sum.
Oare adjourned the case until Aug 21, for further hearing.
Edited By: Dorcas Jonah/Sadiya Hamza (NAN)
The Police Command in Benue on Monday said it would arrest all persons in possession of prohibited firearms in the state.
This is contained in a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the command, DSP Catherine Anene, and made available to News Agency of Nigeira in Makurdi on Monday.
NAN reports that illegal possession of firearms contravenes the provision of Firearms Act LFN CAP. F28, 2004.
NAN further reports that part II (3) of the Act stipulates that no person shall have in his possession or under his control any firearm of one of the categories specified in part 1 of the schedule, except in accordance with a licence granted by the President acting in his discretion.
Anene quoted the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Mukaddas Garba, as ordering all commanding and supervising officers of the command to ensure that all possessors of illegal arms were sanctioned.
The statement further stated that the order was in compliance with the earlier directive of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Mohammed Adamu, on the increased proliferation of prohibited firearms across the country.
“In compliance with the IGPs directive, the Commissioner of Police, Benue State Police Command, Mukaddas Garba, has ordered all commanding and supervisory officers of the command to make this directive a subject of lecture to civil groups, vigilante, quasi state and regional security outfits within their area of responsibility
“They are also to ensure that activities of these groups are in conformity with the extant laws guiding their establishment and operations.
“Heads of Departments and Divisional Police Officers are directed to identify, disarm, arrest and prosecute individuals and groups involved in this illegal act.
“The general public is by this notice warned that possessing prohibited firearms without requisite legal approval of the president remains an illegal act and a major threat to National Security, for which the individual or group concerned could be criminally liable,” the release added.
Edited By: Kamal Tayo Oropo and Abdullahi Yusuf (NAN)
The Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment has denied any involvement in illegal issuance of Recruiters’ Licence to Private Employment Agencies (PEAs) for human trafficking.
Mr Charles Akpan, Deputy Director, Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Labour and Employment, said this in a statement signed on Friday in Abuja.
Akpan said that the attention of the ministry had been drawn to publications in the media accusing the ministry of complicity in human trafficking, especially of Nigerian girls to other parts of the world.
According to him, the ministry has not issued any recruiters’ licence with respect to the placement of Nigerian citizens abroad in breach of the relevant provisions of the Labour Act CAP L1 2004.
“Furthermore, at no time did the Federal Government issue any moratorium against issuance of recruiters’ licence.
“The ministry is empowered by sections 23, 25 and 71 of the Labour Act Cap L1 LFN 2004 to licence fit and proper persons to operate as labour contractors and private employment agencies.
“As part of the strategies to reduce irregular labour migration whilst promoting regular migration, the ministry has put in place a Labour Migration Desk to address the associated problems with the movement of skilled and low skilled persons within and outside the country.”
He said that the desk sought to ensure and create employment opportunities for Nigerians to work legally abroad, without fear of molestation, exploitation or any form of inhuman treatment or being subjected to unfair labour practices.
He added that the ministry was guided by the provisions of the International Labour Organisation’s Migration for Employment Convention No 97, Private Employment Agencies Convention No 181 and its Recommendation No 188 and had taken initial steps required for its ratification.
Akpan, however, said that one of the basic means of implementing the principles of Convention 181 on private employment agencies was their mandatory registration and licencing.
He noted that recruiters’ licences were issued to fit and proper persons and agencies in accordance with Section 25 of the Labour Act CAP L1 2004 and other requirements for the issuance of such licences.
”It is apparent from Section 25 of the Labour Act CAP L1 2004 that persons who meet the requirements for International Licences are eligible to engage in domestic recruitment as well.
“Furthermore, a recruiting agency may recruit low, middle, or highly skilled workers for placement within and outside the country,” he said.
Akpan added that prior to obtaining the recruiters’ licence, the recruiter was bound by the provisions of the Labour Act with respect to welfare and conditions of work of the worker and the procedures for operating the licence.
He noted that one of such procedures was the requirement that prior to any citizen leaving Nigeria under a foreign contract it should fulfill provisions in Section 39 of the Labour Act CAP L1, 2004.
“The recruited worker must be brought before an authorised labour officer and certified by that officer as duly recruited in accordance with the provisions of the law.
“It is therefore obvious that the possession of a recruiters’ licence for foreign employment does not confer or guarantee automatic clearance for a recruiter to recruit citizens for work abroad without first complying with the procedures provided in the Labour Act.
“This is before workers travel under a contract of employment with the recruiter,” he said.
He also said that it must be emphasised that to date, no PEA issued clearance by the ministry had been found to be involved in human trafficking.
He further said that it was on record that none of the trafficked Nigerian girls to Lebanon or any other country was linked to a PEAs issued licence and clearance by the ministry.
“To set the records straight, at no time did any person, body or committee request the ministry to suspend its statutory duty of issuing recruiters’ licence to qualified PEAs as being peddled by some uninformed persons.
“It is therefore not true, but a Legislative misrepresentation, for the ministry to be accused or held responsible for the huge numbers of Nigerians trafficked through the Nigerian borders every year.”
He noted that the ministry did not constitute part of the security architecture at land and sea borders and international airports.
“The ministry should be commended for instituting a watertight licensing regime which guarantees regular migration of Nigerians to work legitimately in other countries, and for being the Secretariat of the Nigerian Task Force against Forced Labour, Child Labour and Human Trafficking.
“Those who for reasons best known to them have mounted an orchestrated campaign to malign the image of the ministry are therefore by this medium advised to discontinue as facts are sacred,” Akpan said.
Edited By: Chioma Ugboma/Donald Ugwu (NAN)
The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has published detailed information to guide taxpayers and the general public on rates payable as stamp duty.
Mr Abdullahi Ahmad, Director Communications and Liaison Department of the FIRS, made this known in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday.
Ahmed said that the clarification was made following several requests by taxpayers seeking such on the current administration of Stamp Duties Act in the country.
He stated that the clarification guide was contained in a Public Notice signed by Executive Chairman of FIRS, Mr Muhammad Nami and was published on the official FIRS website, www.firs.gov.ng.
He quoted Nami as saying “stamp duty is a tax payable in respect of dutiable instrument as provided under the Stamp Duties Act, CAP S8, LFN 2004 (as amended).
“Such instruments include Agreements, Contracts, Receipts, Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), Promissory notes, Insurance policies and others stipulated in the Schedule to the Stamp Duties Act.
“Stamp Duty is chargeable on both physical and electronic instruments in two ways i.e. Ad-valorem, where duty payable is a percentage of the consideration on an instrument; or Flat Rate, where a fixed sum is chargeable irrespective of the consideration on dutiable instrument or document” he explained.
Nami listed no fewer than 50 types of chargeable transactions which require stamp duty.
He explained that some of the chargeable transactions were bank deposit or transfer, loan agreement, Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) related to land, sales agreement, will, tenancy/lease agreement and all receipts.
Nami clarified that the recently inaugurated FIRS Adhesive Stamp was not the same as postage stamp administered by NIPOST for the purposes of delivery of items and documents.
He said that such was therefore not a substitute for the FIRS adhesive stamp, which was produced for the sole purpose of stamp duty payment.
“The burden of payment of stamp duties whether fixed or ad-valorem is that of the beneficiaries of a contract, or Money Deposit Banks’ customers who transfer an amount of N10,000 and above from his account to another customer’s account.
“It is the responsibility of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), Money Deposit Banks (MDBs), Companies, Landlords, Executors, among others to ensure that service providers, contractors and tenants pay stamp duties due on agreements, receipts and other dutiable instruments.
“Failure to deduct or remit stamp duties into the Federal or State Stamp Duties Account attracts relevant penalties and interest as stipulated in the Stamp Duties Act, Cap S8, LFN 2004 (as amended)” Nami stated.
Edited By: Oluwole Sogunle (NAN)
Fees
The Federal Government has approved a downward review of the fees chargeable for services related to the Statutory Marriage under the Marriage Act CAP M6 LFN 2004 to commence from Wednesday, July 1.
Mr Mohammed Manga, Director Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Interior, made this known in a statement on Monday in Abuja.
Manga said the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola made the disclosure in a Public Notice signed by the Permanent Secretary and Principal Registrar of Marriages in Nigeria, Georgina Ehuriah.
Aregbesola said that the adjustment was an off-shoot of the recommendations made by stakeholders at the Sensitisation Conferences held across the country in the third quarter of 2019.
According to him, the fees chargeable for the Issuance of Fresh Marriage Licence to a place of Public Worship has been reduced from N30,000 for two (2) years to N6,000 yearly, payable for five years in the first instance.
He said further that for the Renewal of Marriage Licence by a Place of Public Worship, the sum of N5,000 has been approved per year, payable for three (3) years at each instance, as against the N30,000 earlier charged annually.
The Minister added that the fees chargeable for Statutory Ordinary Marriage has also been cut down from N21,000 to N15,000 while that of Statutory Special Licence has been slashed from N35,000 to N25,000.
Aregbesola said that a link has been created on the Ministry’s website; (www.ecitibiz.interior.gov.ng) to enable States and Local Governments access the Ministry’s automation platform for services relating to the conduct of Statutory Marriage in the country.
He called on stakeholders to take advantage of the reduction in fees to licence their Places of Public Worship and continue to celebrate Statutory Marriage as specified by the Law.
Edited By: JaneFrances Oraka/Sadiya Hamza (NAN)
The Public Complaints Commission (PCC) in Ekiti on Tuesday said it had resolved no fewer than 131 public complaints from individuals and groups between January and June.
Mr Yemi Arokodare, the PCC, Federal Commissioner in the State, made the disclosure in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria, in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti.
Arokodare told NAN that the figure of the resolved complaints stemmed from the 212 complaints received by the commission within the period under review.
He said that the 131 resolved cases was a remarkable improvement when compared to the 108 and 173 cases resolved between January and December 2018 and 2019 respectively.
The PCC boss disclosed that majority of the complaints received by the commission in the last six months borders on financial claims, most especially from individuals against government agencies and corporate bodies.
According to him, quite a number of notable celebrated complaints against highly placed individuals and agencies of government, both at the state and national levels, were amicably resolved without resulting to judicial litigation.
Arokodare, who expressed delight with the promptness and amicable settlement of various complaints, said the commission, established by CAP 37 LFN 2004, was more determined than ever before, toward ensuring a crisis free and decent society.
“PCC is an organ of government set up to redress complaints lodged by aggrieved citizens or residents in Nigeria against administrative injustice.
“The primary function of the PCC is to provide impartial investigation on behalf of the complainants who feel aggrieved by the action or inaction of the government or local government or private companies.
“I want to state that the PCC in Ekiti State are more determined, within the limited resources at our disposal, to see every complaints to its positive logical conclusion,” he said.
Arokodare listed some of the received cases to include, alleged non-payment of salary arrears against a private polytechnic, Non-release of life assurance policy with case No 7478, as well as Appeal to request for refund of money contributed toward Housing and Loan fund of Federal Mortgage fund, among others.
He also used the opportunity to appeal to aggrieved citizens to avail themselves the opportunity derivable from the commission’s operations, saying that its capabilities was still being under-utilised, in spite of its wide constitutional powers and provisions.
He, however, listed inadequate funding, logistics as some of the challenges hampering the commission from attaining its full capabilities.
Edited By: Remi Koleoso/Felix Ajide (NAN)
The Senate on Wednesday approved six out of the seven nominees by President Muhammadu Buhari for appointment as Commissioners for Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RAMFC).
The Senate’s approval of the nominees followed the presentation of a report by its Chairman, Committee on National Planning and Economic Affairs Sen. Adetunmbi Olubunmi (APC Ekiti North).
The report was also for the consideration at the Committee of the Whole.
The approved nominees are: Salamatu Bala, representing Adamawa, Alfred Egba (Bayelsa) and Alhaji Adamu Dibal (Borno).
Others are Oladele Gboyega (Osun), Bello Wammakko (Sokoto) and Ahmed Yusuf (Taraba).
The Senate, however stood down the confirmation of Mr Emmannuel Nwosu, representing Imo, following a security report against the nominee, by the Department of State Security Services (DSS).
Senate also at plenary, approved President Muhammadu Buhari’s nomination of Mr Lamidi A. Yuguda, as Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Other nominees confirmed to serve as full time Commissioners for SEC are :Mr Reginald C. Karawusa representing Imo, Mr Ibrahim Boyi representing Katsina and Mr Obisan Joseph, representing Lagos.
Their confirmation was also sequel to the presentation of a report from the Committee on Capital Market by the Chairman, Sen. Ibikunle Amosun (APC-Ogun) and consideration of same at the Committee of the Whole.
Senate at plenary also considered for first reading five bills.
Others are, Federal Audit Service Commission Bill, 2020 by Sen. Mathew Urhoghide (PDP-Edo), among others.
A man, Babafemi Ojo, was on Tuesday sentenced to three-day community service by an Ado Ekiti Chief Magistrates’ Court for violating the curfew imposed on the state.
Ojo was accused of violating the curfew order by travelling from Lagos to Ado-Ekiti, en route Efon Alaaye Ekiti without lawful excuse.
He was subsequently arraigned before the court after being isolated at the isolation centre, where he tested negative to the novel coronavirus disease.
Earlier, the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Mr Julius Ajibare, told the court that the convict committed the offence on April 27 at about 12.00 a.m. in Efon-Alaaye, Ekiti State.
According to the DPP, Ojo violates provisions of Regulation 3(1) punishable under Regulation 12 of the Ekiti State Coronavirus (prevention of infection); Regulations 1, 2, 3, & 4, 2020, made pursuant to Section 8 of the Quarantine Act, Cap Q2, LFN, 2004.
Although, Ojo pleaded not guilty, but could not give a vivid account of his travelling.
The Chief Magistrate, Mr Abdulhamid Lawal, ruled that the convict be kept in police custody to be engaged in the three-day community service between 8.00 a.m. and 2.00 p.m. daily.
Lawal also ordered the convict to pay a N10,000 fine in addition to the community service.
Edited By: Moses Solanke/Abdulfatah Babatunde (NAN)
