Why Presidential Tax Reforms Committee will Spend N5bn on Operations — Chairman

Published

2 years ago

September 30, 2023

Chairman, Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Taiwo Oyedele has said the committee will spend billions on its operations.

In a statement posted on his X (formerly Twitter) page on Friday, Oyedele noted that the contentious N5 billion given to the Joint Tax Board by the Federal Inland Revenue was to cover the committee’s budget.

Recall that the immediate past executive chairman of FIRS, Muhammad Nami while reacting to an allegation of fund appropriation, had disclosed on Thursday that the service paid the said sum to the JTB after its approval by the presidency.

Nami said, “The N5 billion paid to the Joint Tax Board was paid to fund the activities of the Presidential Committee on Tax and Fiscal Policy Reforms two months before I left office. It was paid after we received a letter to that effect from the office of Mr. President signed by Zacch Adedeji himself.”

While giving the breakdown of the committee’s budget, Oyedele disclosed the money will be used to fund the national ‘Data for Tax project’ which he said was important to the effective reform of the country’s tax system.

The statement reads in part, “The Committee’s budget includes provisions for a national “Data for Tax” project which the JTB has been championing for over 2 years. The project was presented to the National Economic Council in 2022 and was meant to be funded by the federal government and the 36 states. However, it stalled due to lack of funds. Given the importance of the project to the effective reform of our tax system, it was included in the Committee’s budget.

“Other expenses included in the committee’s budget, which has the approval of the National Assembly, include setting up of offices for the committee in Lagos and Abuja, payment of salaries for the full-time staff engaged by the committee, travels and other logistics for over 70 members representing more than 40 institutions and stakeholder groups mapped to 6 different subcommittees, more than 30 Secretariat personnel and over 40 students across the country.

“In addition, the budget covers planned stakeholder engagements with various sectors and interest groups, as well as international engagements and understudy of some leading tax regimes around the world, and so on. The budget covers a period of one year being the lifespan of the committee”.

Oyedele noted that the committee has been mandated to ensure accountability therefore all expenses are properly documented and available for audit.

He said, “It should be noted that the committee was not set up simply to produce reports and recommendations, we are also charged with the implementation of recommended and approved proposals which need to be funded.

“The committee’s mandate includes ensuring prudence and accountability in the management of our national resources. It will therefore be a contradiction for the same committee to be wasteful or reckless in its own affairs. Members of the committee work on a volunteering basis and are only paid reasonable allowances to cover their out-of-pocket expenses as we cannot afford to pay the commercial value for their time, skills, and experience. As the chairman of the committee, despite working full-time on the assignment, I do not receive a salary.

“All the expenses of the committee are properly documented and available for audit. We collect receipts for fuel, stationeries, and virtually every Naira that we spend to the extent possible. Over N4 billion of the said funds transferred by the FIRS to the JTB for the committee’s work is yet to be spent and very much intact in the JTB account.”

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Zamfara Empowers 1,300 Locals in UNDP-Backed Uplift Project

Published

5 hours ago

April 23, 2025

Tunde-Olubo Bukunmi

In a strategic move to tackle poverty and stimulate economic growth in Zamfara State, Governor Dauda Lawal has unveiled a development project in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The initiative, which was introduced at the Garba Nadama Hall in Gusau, marks another milestone in the administration’s commitment to community empowerment.

During the event, the UNDP commended Governor Lawal for his consistent provision of counterpart funding to support sustainable development efforts across the state.

According to a press release from the Governor’s media aide, Sulaiman Bala Idris, the project involves the distribution of advanced irrigation tools to 300 pre-selected farmers.

The beneficiaries were chosen based on their agricultural needs and potential to maximize the impact of the equipment.

In a separate arm of the programme, 1,000 aspiring business owners will each receive ₦150,000 in start-up grants to help turn their ideas into successful ventures.

Highlighting the intent behind the programme, Governor Lawal emphasized that his government had, from inception, launched various initiatives under his rescue agenda aimed at improving the economic conditions of the citizens.

“These initiatives are not isolated efforts. They are part of our broader vision for a prosperous Zamfara State, including partnerships with development organisations to tackle our socio-economic challenges,” Lawal stated.

He pointed out that the programmes have already begun to yield results, transforming the lives of many across the state. He reassured the public of his administration’s unwavering dedication to fighting poverty.

“We shall continue to leverage strategic partnerships with the UNDP and other donor groups to create sustainable pathways to lift our people out of poverty,” he added.

The project also prioritised fairness and inclusion. According to Governor Lawal, recipients were drawn from a diverse range of local government areas including Sankalawa, Furfuri, Karal, Gusau, and Bungudu, to ensure equal access to opportunities.

“Economic empowerment under my administration must be inclusive. That is why I insisted on the equitable distribution of opportunities across all local government areas,” he said.

Lawal revealed that both the farmers and the entrepreneurs had completed rigorous training tailored to their respective sectors. He explained that the skills acquired would be vital in maximizing the benefits of the support provided.

In his closing remarks, the governor extended his appreciation to the UNDP for aligning with his vision and urged recipients to utilize the assistance effectively.

“The faith I have placed in you must be justified. With these remarks, it is my honour to officially flag off the distribution of irrigation inputs to 300 beneficiaries and disbursement of start-up capital of ₦150,000 to 1,000 entrepreneurs,” Lawal added.

Ashraf Usman, head of the UNDP’s Northwest Nigeria Office, echoed his support for the governor’s efforts and praised the transparency and scale of the programme.

“Thank you, Your Excellency. These are the reasons why we are here. Congratulations to you for supporting such a large number of people.

Thank you for setting an example for other state governments in providing counterpart funding,” Usman said.

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Soludo Engages Anambra Diaspora, Emphasizes Prudent Spending

Published

5 hours ago

April 23, 2025

Tunde-Olubo Bukunmi

As part of his ongoing efforts to promote transparency and deepen engagement with citizens, Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has met with Anambra indigenes residing abroad to share updates on his administration’s strides and reiterate his commitment to responsible financial management.

A press statement issued on Wednesday by his Press Secretary, Christian Aburime, highlighted that the governor, who recently marked three years in office, has been consistently reporting back to the people, whom he fondly regards as “his employers.”

The latest leg of this outreach occurred in London during an Easter Monday town hall meeting. This event concluded a series of strategic interactions with Diaspora communities, following earlier sessions in Lagos and Abuja.

Aburime stated, “Since last month, when his administration clocked three years, the governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has been regaling Ndi Anambra with reports of his scintillating performance.

In a continuation of his transparent, accountable governance, Soludo has now taken his administration’s progress report directly to Anambra citizens abroad.

The Easter Monday town hall meeting in London marks the culmination of a strategic Diaspora engagement tour that has already impressed audiences in Lagos and Abuja.”

The governor’s message emphasized the importance of sound financial governance. “What makes this approach remarkable is not just the governor’s willingness to face his constituents directly but his emphasis on fiscal responsibility.

Just as he told the London audience, at a time when many Nigerian states are drowning in debt, Soludo proudly highlighted his administration’s achievements without resorting to potentially crippling World Bank loans.

This prudent financial stewardship deserves attention, especially as some governments struggle with mounting repayment obligations,” Aburime explained.

He also described the meeting as highly interactive, with citizens asking tough questions and the governor responding with clarity and confidence.

Soludo urged professionals in the Diaspora to consider investing their skills and resources in their home state, recognizing the immense value they bring.

“By actively courting Diaspora participation, Soludo taps into a powerful resource: the intellectual and financial capital of Anambra citizens abroad. These professionals and business leaders possess networks, expertise, and investment capacity that could accelerate development back home, and the governor beckoned them to think about home.”

Aburime noted that this outreach strategy reflects Soludo’s broader philosophy of inclusive governance.

“By and large, the governor’s methodical outreaches, from state capital Awka to economic hub Lagos to political centre Abuja and now to international Diaspora, demonstrate strategic thinking about stakeholder engagement.

By framing development as collective ownership rather than government largesse, Governor Soludo challenges the traditional patron-client relationship that has hindered sustainable progress in many Nigerian states.”

Looking ahead, Aburime said that continued collaboration with the Diaspora will be crucial as Soludo pursues his vision of transforming Anambra into a smart megacity.

“For now, his model of accountability, fiscal discipline, and Diaspora partnership keeps Anambra rising on the wings of ‘One State, One People, One Agenda’,” he concluded.

ROAMAN NEWS