Plateau state government on Saturday expressed it’s determination to revamp the tourism and mining sector .
Governor Simon Lalong who spoke at a media parley with newsmen in Jos on Saturday said that in line with his economic diversification efforts his adminstration is developing other sectors in which it has comparative advantages, such as the solid minerals, tourism, and industries. .
He also said that the Panyam fish farm would bounce back soon .
The Governor further expressed his determination to complete the Zaira road stadium as well as develop the sports sector .
Governor Simon Bako Lalong of Plateau state has said that the state would soon carry out massive renovation of schools in the state .
Lalong who spoke at a media parley with newsmen in Jos on Saturday said over 100 schools would be renovated across the 17 located government areas of the state .
In his words ” While we are constructing new schools , we would also be renovating others .” .
He also pledged to employ 2000 more teachers in the state .
GAGDI SILENCES CRITICS AGAIN, SECURES 300 SOLAR STREET LIGHTS FOR PKK
As debate rages on regarding the propriety of Gagdi’s second term ambition as the member representing Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, with some critics berating his leadership style, claiming the lawmaker has concentrated on human development; providing jobs and human empowerment to constituents, at the detriment of the infrastructural development of the constituency, the quintessential lawmaker seems not to be resting on his oars to strike a balance between robust legislative inputs in the enactment of laws for the peace and good government of the entire nation, through sponsorship of bills and motions that have great impact on the lives of all Nigerians; human development of his constituents through empowerment programs and securing job opportunities in federal ministries, Departments and Agencies, as well as embarking on developmental projects in his constituency; thus allowing his work to speak for him.
The dogged and relentless representative of the good people of Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency has secured the provision of 300 solar powered street lights to his constituency, through the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) office under the presidency. This will swell his achievements in the provision of development projects in his constituency.
Work on the project is set to commence from today, 20th April 2021 and expected to be completed as soon as Wednesday next week; with the three local government areas that make up the constituency, benefitting 100 solar street lights each.
Locations for installation of the street lights, according to the all-round legislator, will be centered at the local government headquarters and some major towns within the three local government areas before moving to the hinterland subsequently.
For instance, the one hundred street lights for Kanke LGA are to be installed in Kabwir, Kwal and Amper in the fraction of 40, and 30-30 respectively.
In Pankshin, 20 will be installed at the General Hospital, while the remaining 80 will be installed in different locations within the local government headquarters so as to illuminate the town at night.
In kanam, 10 will be installed at the General Hospital Dengi, while the rest will be installed in different communities within the local government, with areas like Jarmai, Jom, Gidgid and other places getting 10 each.
He pointed out that religious worship centres and public places, like hospitals, in the three local government headquarters are targeted as prime beneficiaries because of their strategic importance in the lives of the constituents.
Meanwhile, the lawmaker is already with the team of engineers to take them round the cites early today to commence work immediately, before stopping at FCE Pankshin to attend NAPPS cultural day, where he is expected to serve as the guest speaker.
You will recall that the lawmaker has embarked on the construction of 16 palaces of some district and village heads in the constituency, 6 among which are nearing completion and would be ready for commissioning before the end of April, 2021.
These are aside the construction of classrooms blocks and modern ICT centers in some schools across the three local government areas of PKK.
We at Gagdi media Team are proud of our principal for his sterling achievements. We also thank him most sincerely for securing a slot for one of our members in the recently released successful candidates for the Short Service intake of the Nigerian Navy.
May God grant you the enablement to continue to represent PKK to the best of your ability and put smiles in the faces of your constituents.
The tax appeal tribunal in Jos has fixed for hearing the tax appeal brought before it by management of Plateau internal revenue services against the Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JEDC)
The case was mentioned at the sitting of the tribunal yesterday, but had to be adjourned as defence counsel reminded the tribunal that the 30 days allowed for filling of reply has not been exhausted.
Though appellant counsel was ready, the court had to allow room for filing of reply by the respondent in accordance with the court rules and procedures.
In its appeal, Plateau state internal revenue claimed that the Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JEDC) is in default obligation to the tune of N1. 8 billion.
The appellant claimed it has followed all the laid down processes to get JEDC offset it’s accumulated tax liability but that the defendant failed to pay.
Breakdown of the accumulated sum showed that the defendant is owing PAYE of N840 million, development levy on payroll amounting to N1m, withholding tax of N50. 7m.
The appellant also claimed that 10% of the tax liability as well as 21% interest to bring the total of liability to N1. 8 billion.
The appellant is therefore prayed the court to compel the respondent to pay the sum of N1. 8b being the tax liability that aN1. 8 billion tax case between JEDC and Plateau internal revenue fixed for hearing
The tax appeal tribunal in Jos has fixed for hearing the tax appeal brought before it by management of Plateau internal revenue services against the Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JEDC)
The case was mentioned at the sitting of the tribunal yesterday, but had to be adjourned as defence counsel reminded the tribunal that the 30 days allowed for filling of reply has not been exhausted.
Though appellant counsel was ready, the court had to allow room for filing of reply by the respondent in accordance with the court rules and procedures.
In its appeal, Plateau state internal revenue claimed that the Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JEDC) is in default obligation to the tune of N1. 8 billion.
The appellant claimed it has followed all the laid down processes to get JEDC offset it’s accumulated tax liability but that the defendant failed to pay.
Breakdown of the accumulated sum showed that the defendant is owing PAYE of N840 million, development levy on payroll amounting to N1m, withholding tax of N50. 7m.
The appellant also claimed that 10% of the tax liability as well as 21% interest to bring the total of liability to N1. 8 billion.
The appellant is therefore prayed the court to compel the respondent to pay the sum of N1. 8b being the tax liability that accumulated between a period of 2015 and 2016.
After the arguments of both counsels on whether to go ahead with hearing the appeal or not, chairman of the tribunal, Hon. Richard Umar Bala said, “I hereby adjourned the case to the 24th of May, 2021 for hearing. It is the expectation of the tribunal that the defense council would have filled it’s reply according”ccumulated between a period of 2015 and 2016.
After the arguments of both counsels on whether to go ahead with hearing the appeal or not, chairman of the tribunal, Hon. Richard Umar Bala said, “I hereby adjourned the case to the 24th of May, 2021 for hearing. It is the expectation of the tribunal that the defense council would have filled it’s reply according”
Tanzanian Vice President Samia Suluhu Hassan was sworn in Friday as the country’s first female president, two days after the death of President John Magufuli, one of Africa’s most prominent Covid-19 skeptics, was announced.
Hassan took the oath at the statehouse in the city of Dar es Salaam in a televised ceremony on state TV. Few in the full room were wearing face coverings. In an address shortly after she was sworn in, Hassan said Magufuli’s body would be moved to several locations around the country over the next few days for private and public farewell events. He will then be laid to rest in his hometown, Chato, on March 25, she said. Hassan announced the death of Magufuli, age 61, in a televised address Wednesday in which she said he “died of a heart ailment that he has battled for over 10 years.” The announcement ended days of speculation about his health, including rumors that he was suffering from Covid-19. Magufuli had not been seen since February 27. Described as a soft-spoken consensus-builder, Hassan will also be the country’s first president born in Zanzibar, the archipelago that forms part of the union of the Republic of Tanzania, Reuters reports. Her leadership style is seen as a potential contrast from Magufuli, a brash populist who earned the nickname “Bulldozer” for muscling through policies and who drew criticism for his intolerance of dissent, which his government denied. She will be faced with the task of healing a country that was polarized during the Magufuli years, analysts told Reuters, and building her own political base to govern effectively. Hassan must also decide whether to procure Covid-19 vaccines for the country of 58 million people. Under Magufuli, the government said it would not procure any vaccines until the country’s own experts had reviewed them. CNN
DENMARK TO SUPPORT PLATEAU STATE IN REVIVAL OF JIB/BARC FARMS
The Ambassador of Denmark to Nigeria Jesper Kamp has expressed his country’s desire to work with Plateau State Government towards reviving the Jos International Breweries (JIB) and Brewery Agro and Research Company (BARC FARMS).
The Danish envoy gave the indication when he received Governor Simon Lalong who paid him a visit at the Embassy in Abuja.
He said his Mission will work to facilitate the interface between Plateau State and Danish investors who have a lot of experience in agriculture, Brewery and manufacturing among others.
He said since Danish investors were involved in setting up JIB and BARC Farms which attained national and international many years ago, there is a strong basis for his country to join hands with the Plateau State Government to revive the two companies for Job creation and employment.
On livestock business and dairy production, the Ambassador said his country has enermous expertise in modern ranching practices which it has already committed to share with Nigeria through an MOU that was signed between the two countries.
He said his Mission is particularly interested in joining hands with the Plateau State Government towards actualising the National Livestock Transformation Program. He said having done a pilot ranching program in Kaduna State, the next destination is Plateau where the weather, land, and other incentives are conducive for livestock and dairy business.
Governor Lalong told the Ambassador that his visit was primarily to seek collaboration towards revival of the two moribund companies which have a huge potential for job creation and poverty alleviation.
He said the State Government acquired BARC Farms which was sold many years ago and still maintains majority shares in JIB which it is ready to divest to core investors.
He said the Government has also provided the basic infrastructure, security and incentives for investors, and is willing to go into public private partnerships where necessary to be able to achieve its objectives of boosting the economy of the State.
He expressed excitement of the possibility of Danish companies keying into the National Livestock Transformation Program which will soon be implemented in Plateau State on its reserves in Kanam and Wase Local Government Areas.
The Governor was accompanied on the visit by the Managing Director of the Plateau Investment and Property Development Company, Mr. Chrysogonus Yilzak and some of his aides.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State. 18th March 2021.
In line with the operational directives and continuous determination to step up the operations against criminal element and restore lasting peace across the Joint Operational Areas, Operation SAFE HAVEN has neutralized one of the notorious armed robbers operating within the Joint Operational Areas.
Operatives of Operation Safe Haven on night Patrol having received a distress call at about 11:45pm on Wednesday 17 March 2021. The distress call involved an incident of armed robbery incident at Kutaya Street, Jengre Area of Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State. The troops swiftly mobilized to the scene, where a Shop owner, one Mr Reuben was robbed of his personal belongings.
In the process, one of the armed robbers was neutralized, while the other 2 armed robbers escaped with gunshot injuries.
Items recovered include 1 AK 47, 1 Fabricated Riffle, 1 Automatic Pistol, 16 of 9mm rounds ammunition and a Cell Phone.
The corpse of the killed in action armed robber has been deposited at the Plateau State Hospital, as the gallant troops are still intensifying the search of the escaped robbers.
News of the breakthrough was made known by the Commander of the Security Outfit, Maj. Gen. Dominic Onyemulu.
Operation SAFE HAVEN reassured the general public of its determination to bringing lasting peace across its Joint Operational Areas and is soliciting for support and cooperation of the general public.
United States Ambassador to Nigeria Mary Beth Leonard has visited Governor Simon Bako Lalong at the Government House, Rayfield Jos to reiterate the commitment of her country to supporting Plateau State in areas of health, peace, security and economy.
The Ambassador told Governor Lalong that she was in Plateau State for the Launch of the HIV Treatment Surge Light Campaign aimed at further reducing the burden of people living with the virus as well as preventing further infections.
She said the partnership between the United States Government through its agencies such as the USAID, APIN, PEPFAR will continue especially now that the world is dealing with other health challenges such as COVID-19.
She also assured the Governor that the United States will continue to deepen its support for peace building and dialogue in the State in support of the restoration of substantial peace in Plateau.
Governor Lalong appreciated the visit of the Ambassador to Plateau State which he said reaffirms the commitment of the United States to supporting various initiatives for development in the State.
He specifically thanked the United States for the support towards establishing the Plateau Peace Building Agency which has become a model in the country.
On HIV Aids, the Governor said a lot is being done to ensure that those infected have access to treatment while those who are not infected remain negative.
He assured Ambassador Mary Beth Leonard that the efforts of the US Government in tackling HIV and other diseases will not be allowed to waste as the State is making huge investments in hospitals, personnel and infrastructure.
He also told the Ambassador that Plateau State remains a viable investment destination for agriculture, tourism, solid minerals, technology and human capital development and said US investors are welcome.
Lalong said the delayed Plateau State Economic and Investment Summit which was halted by COVID-19 will still hold hopefully by the end of the year.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State. 17th March 2021.
WHY I STOPPED PRESENTATION OF PETITION DURING PLENARY – DEPUTY SPEAKER
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ahmed Idris Wase, said his decision to prevent a member of the House, Mark Gbilah, from laying a petition last Thursday “was strictly based on rules of parliamentary procedures”.
The deputy speaker disclosed this in a statement by his media aide, Umar Puma, on Monday.
Mr Wase was reacting to a trending video, showing him preventing Mr Gbilah from laying a petition while he (Wase) was presiding during plenary session.
Mr Gbillah, who represents Gwer East-Gwer West constituency of Benue State, was presenting a petition by a socio-cultural association based in the United States but was disallowed from doing so by the deputy speaker.
The lawmaker explained the synopsis of the petition that some indigenes of his state had been sacked from their ancestral lands.
The video had since been trending with many Nigerians criticising the deputy speaker for not allowing Nigerians in diaspora to air their views.
Defence But Mr Wase said the House could not grant him the leave to present the petition “because the petitioners were faceless and based outside the shores of Nigeria”.
Explaining his action further on Monday, the deputy speaker alleged that the reports in circulation had been “doctored, slanted and bent to give political and ethnic coloration to an event that was otherwise strictly based on parliamentary procedures”.
He said he prevented the lawmaker from presenting the petition “based on the identity(ies) of the petitioners and not based on the fact that they are based outside Nigeria.
RelatedNews Group threatens to withhold remittances over Deputy Speaker’s ‘unfortunate statement’ Reps intervene in USSD N42bn dispute between telecom, banks Bill seeking powers to summon President, Governors scales second reading We’re broke – House of Reps
“Whilst it would have been unnecessary to respond to such a show of clear mischief by mischief-makers with malicious intents, it has, however, become imperative to clear the air on the matter in order to educate the ignorant and reassure the enlightened,” Mr Wase said.
“To set the records straight, let it be categorically stated that the crux of the encounter between the Deputy Speaker, presiding as Speaker, and Honourable Mark Gbillah was on the LEGAL IDENTITY (and flowing from that, the LOCUS) of the Petitioners and not on the whether Nigerians in diaspora have a right to petition the House or not.
“The House of Representatives belongs to all Nigerians and can be accessed by all Nigerians wherever they may reside. However, like other arms of Government, (such as Courts of Law), Petitioners must follow laid down rules and procedures in presenting their petitions to the House, otherwise there would be lawlessness, disorder and chaos.”
He explained that as a rule, every petition must be presented by a sponsor on behalf of an identifiable petitioner who can either be an individual/groups of individuals or registered corporate entity.
He said, “In the current incident, the Sponsor of the Petition read the Petitioners as: ASSOCIATION OF TIVS RESIDENT IN THE UNITED STATES. For any experienced Parliamentarian, this very coinage raises a lot of technical questions. Are the Petitioners represented here in Nigeria via a Nigerian Office or a Legal Practitioner or are they totally absent from the scene? Are they registered as an Association with the Corporate Affairs Commission? If they are absent and a hearing were to be organised, who would the members of the Committee on Public Petition be addressing, questioning or interrogating? Would the Petitioners be able to give first hand witness testimony as to the issues raised in their petition?
“These and other technical complications were what the Deputy Speaker tried to interrogate, to which sufficient answers were not provided thus stalling the presentation of the Petition.”
He said he premised his action on Order 8, Rule 3, para. 5 (a)-(f) of the House rules which says, “Every petition must be signed by at least one person, followed by the addresses of the persons signing and a corporation should sign in a petition with its Common Seal.”
He said as a fourth term member of the lower legislative chamber and an old member of the committee on public petitions, he did nothing but bring to bear his experience in guiding the sponsor of the petition on the proper procedure to adopt in presenting the said petition.
“Note that the House has over the years entertained petitions from Nigerians in diaspora. However, those petitions were properly presented before the House without any ambiguity as to the identity of the petitioners or as to their locus and availability to speak to the issues raised in such Petitions,” he said.
Freelance Reporters 