In a gathering held at Asan Ibibio on Sunday, September 24, 2023, marking the inauguration of the Akwa Ibom State Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers, the Elders of Ibibio Nation and Leaders of Ibibio socio-cultural organizations released the following communique: We extend our heartfelt congratulations to His Excellency, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, the Executive Governor, […]
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By Imaobong Umoekah:::::::::::::(Standby News Online) Eket Senatorial District in Akwa Ibom State is abuzz with anticipation as it prepares to host a grand celebration to honor its esteemed leader, Governor Udom Emmanuel, and his beloved wife, Mrs Martha Udom Emmanuel. The event, aptly themed “Celebrating a Worthy Son,” promises to be a momentous occasion for […]
EKET SENATORIAL DISTRICT GEARS UP TO HONOR GOVERNOR EMMANUEL
FIRS Lists Nigeria’s 2021 Top-Performing Taxpayers; Hails Taxpayers For Compliance, Payment and Support FIRS Lists Nigeria’s 2021 Top-Performing Taxpayers; Hails Taxpayers For Compliance, Payment and Support The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has listed Nigeria’s top-performing taxpayers in the year 2021, and commended them for their exceptional efforts in contributing towards providing the necessary funds […]
FIRS Lists Nigeria’s 2021 Top-Performing Taxpayers; Hails Taxpayers For Compliance, Payment and Support — stàndbynewsnetwork
Questions Mount over MTN’s Alleged Payment of N618.7bn Taxes to FIRS
May 14, 2022
As THISDAY checks uncover discrepancies in actual amount, parties reluctant to offer explanation
James Emejo in Abuja
MTN Nigeria Communications Plc’s claim that it paid the sum of N618.7 billion in both direct and indirect taxes to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) in 2021 has continued to raise dusts in public quarters, THISDAY can report.
On April 2, 2022, MTN Nigeria, in a statement issued by the company’s secretary, Uto Ukpanah, had said it paid the amount in direct and indirect taxes to the FIRS in the 2021 tax year, making it the largest single biggest contributor to taxes in Nigeria.
The company added that its total tax contribution to all government agencies was 13.5 per cent of FIRS’ total collection for the year.
“In 2021, MTN Nigeria’s total tax contribution to all government agencies including the FIRS amounted to N757.6 billion while FIRS collected a total of N6.4 trillion tax revenue in the year,” the statement said.
However, the MTN’s claim came on the heels of FIRS’ recognition of 20 top taxpayers in the country including the telecommunications giant.
Nonetheless, THISDAY calculations revealed that the N618.7 billion tax payment as claimed by MTN Nigeria represented less than 10 per cent of the N6.4 trillion that was reported as total collection by the service for 2021.
Hence, MTN’s claim that it contributed 13 per cent of total FIRS collections of N6.4 trillion would mean it actually remitted N832 billion to the federal government in the period in question.
Following the apparent discrepancy unraveled by the THISDAY checks, using MTN’s prior statement, the former raised pertinent questions and sought clarification from both the apex revenue agency and the telecommunications company.
Regrettably, the FIRS has declined to provide THISDAY with the specific amount paid by the company as taxes but said the figure churned out by MTN does not tally with its own account.
Yet, the buck falls on FIRS as a matter of transparency and confidence in the management of public accounts to make proper rendition to Nigerians.
The development particularly smacks of negligence on the part of the service and requires that both parties unravel the truth.
Sources have confided in THISDAY that the refusal of both FIRS and MTN to do the needful contradicts the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act (FOI) which among other things, forbids companies and agencies of the government from withholding critical information that is in public interest.
Observers also said the attitude of both companies serves to undermine the anti-corruption agenda of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Specifically, Section 2, sub-section 4 of the FOI Act requires that “a public institution shall ensure that information referred to in this section is widely disseminated and made readily available to members of the public through various means, including print, electronic, and online sources, and at offices of such public institutions.
Analysts also said MTN Nigeria, as a corporate entity cannot afford to shy away from the principles of transparency and accountability in the interest of its shareholders and the public in general by detailing the various taxes it paid to government within the year in question.
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…Orders Payment of Salaries, Pensions in Three Days
The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel has signed the State’s 2022 Appropriation Law, with a total outlay of N586.9 billion.
The budget, christened, ‘Redefining Standards’, was passed by the State House of Assembly on Thursday, December 2, 2021.
It has an increase of N4.766 billion, representing 0.8%, from the initial estimate of N582.115 billion presented by the Governor on October 25, 2021.
The Appropriation Act’s size covers N261.963 billion of recurrent and N324.918 billion of capital expenditures.
Governor Emmanuel, speaking during an expanded Executive Council meeting, during which he assented the 2022 Appropriation Bill, commended the State House of Assembly, Ministry of Finance, Budget Office, Accountant General and other government agencies involved in the budgetary process for its timely passage.
Expressing hope that funds will be available for optimum implementation, he said “we are believing that with God on our side 2022 will be better than 2021”.
The Governor said it became expedient to sign the bill early enough in the week to allow for smooth winding down of the year 2021 and take-off 2022, considering nearness to Christmas, the accompanying holidays and envisaged reduced productivity of the State’s predominantly Christian workforce.
Speaking further, the Governor directed that the State Accountant General, Pastor Andrew Essien, ensures payment of salaries and pension of public servants and retirees in the state on or before Thursday, 23th 2021, to support their Yuletide celebration.
“I have given an order to the Accountant General to try and pay Civil Servants’ salaries almost immediately.
“We are a Christian State, whether Federal Government gives us money or not, we must look for money anywhere to make sure that our people hold their Christmas.
”We need at least N10 Billion to be able to pay salaries and pensioners must also be paid.
“It has to be done between now and Thursday, because Friday is Christmas eve”.
Also at the expanded Executive Council, Governor Emmanuel was formally presented with the recent Cleanest State Award trophy won by the state for the fourth consecutive years.
The Governor commended the Chairman, Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency, Prince Ikim for making the state proud, tasking the agency to brace up for greater exploits in coming years.
Media Unit
Govt House, Uyo
20/12/21
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