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PIA: We Did Not Receive $10m Bribe, Lawan Debunks Reports

Published

4 years ago

August 24, 2021

Senate President Ahmad Lawan

President of the Senate Ahmed Lawan has debunked reports suggesting that members of the National Assembly were bribed to the tune of $10 million to pass the three per cent allocation to host communities as stipulated in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

Lawan told State House correspondents after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday that he took exception to the spread of falsehood propagated to mislead the public.

“That is funny but also very serious,” the Senate President said of the allegation. “I really want to take this opportunity to take exception to those kinds of unwarranted, unprovable, false and fake information being fed to the Nigerian public.”

His comment is the latest development in the controversy that has followed the National Assembly’s decision to shun calls for five per cent allocation to the host communities in favour of the three per cent allocation when they passed the Petroleum Industry Bill 2021.

President Buhari signed the bill into law on August 16, three days after returning from his trip to the United Kingdom, a move that further fueled debates over the choice of three percent allocation to the host communities.

Beyond the debates, reports emerged claiming the lawmakers’ decision in passing the bill was influenced by kickbacks, reports the Senate President says are part of a dangerous trend.

“The danger people will face with this is, you cause unnecessary damage to the reputation of people,” he said.

Such allegations, Senator Lawan said, amounted to slander.

“I had an occasion to take someone to court because of this kind of thing previously, about three months ago,” he added, signalling his willingness to take legal action when necessary.

While urging Nigerians to speak the truth at all times, he gave the assurance that the Senate was working in the best interest of the people.

Meanwhile, the President’s assent has led to the emergence of the Petroleum Industry Act which provides legal, governance, regulatory and fiscal framework for the Nigerian petroleum industry.

Under the act, host communities are expected to get three per cent of the operating expenditure of oil companies, while 30 per cent of the revenue is set aside for frontier exploration, an agreement which some, especially those from the South-South, have vehemently frowned at, demanding a higher allocation.

The host communities allocation debate, argued on the pages of dailies, and in parliament, has continued even after the National Assembly settled for three per cent mid July and the President’s assent to the bill, the birth of a much-anticipated Act.

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Anambra Traditional Rulers Confer ‘Dike Si Mba’ Title On Tinubu

Published

2 days ago

May 8, 2025

News Editor

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

President Tinubu crowned ‘Dike Si Mba’ of Anambra by Anambra State Traditional Rulers

Traditional rulers in Anambra State on Thursday conferred a chieftaincy title of ‘Dike Si Mba’ of Anambra on President Bola Tinubu.

The Traditional rulers led by the Chairman of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe Chidubem Iweka of Obosi, gave the President the title in Awka during his official visit to the state.

‘Dike Si Mba’ loosely translates to ‘Hero from another land’, was given to President Tinubu by the traditional rulers representing all the communities in Anambra State.

Tinubu, who is in Anambra State on official visit, arrived at the Chinua Achebe International Airport in Umueri around 12:15pm, and was received by Governor Chukwuma Soludo, his deputy, Onyeka Ibezim and other government officials.

Tinubu inaugurated Anambra State’s first-ever Government House on Thursday, marking a historic milestone more than 30 years after the state’s creation.

Tinubu also inaugurated several other projects done by the administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo.

It is the President’s second visit to the South-East this year after visiting Enugu State in January.

News

Nigerian Senate Passes 2 Tax Reform Bills

Published

2 days ago

May 8, 2025

News Editor

Senate in Session

The Nigerian Senate has passed two out of the four Tax Reform Bills which are expected to overhaul Nigeria’s tax laws.

The lawmakers approved the bills following the consideration and adoption of the recommendations of the Senate Committee chairman Senator Sani Musa during the committee of the whole

The four key bills are the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill, 2025, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, 2025, the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, and the Nigeria Tax Bill.

But out of the four, only the Bill to Repeal the Federal Inland Revenue Service Act and enact the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, 2025 was approved

The second approved bill is the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill which is an Act to provide for the assessment, collection of and accounting for revenue accruing to the federation, federal, states and local governments.

“Prescribe the powers and functions of tax authorities and for related matters”.

Presenting the report, Sani said that the bills sought to reform Nigeria’s tax framework, strengthen institutions and enhance accountability and compliance.

Contributing, Deputy Senate President of Jibrin Barau congratulated the entire Senate and in particular, the Committee on Finance and the Elders Committee for the wisdom and leadership that has been shown in the passage of the bills.

“Initially, there were in disagreements and there were rancors here and there.

“But the Senate, standing on its position as the highest assembly in the land, decided to establish this committee, the Committee of Elders (Special Committee).

“To look at all those areas of contention and hear the views of religious leaders, regional organisations and other stakeholders.”

In his remarks President of the Senate, Godswill disclosed that the remaining two bills will be considered in plenary on Thursday.

He commended the committee on Finance and senators for a thorough job.

“He also expressed gratitude to the group of “elder senators” who collated and deliberated on areas of contention in the Tax Bill through meetings and consultation with dissenting voices.

Akpabio expressed optimism that the tax laws would revolutionalise and optimise tax collection across the country.

He expressed satisfaction that the passage of the bills have dispelled rumours that they were meant to serve the interests of a part of the country, adding that all Nigerians will benefit from them.

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Senate Sets Up Committee To Oversee Rivers Administrator

Published

4 days ago

May 6, 2025

News Editor

Senate in Session

The Nigerian Senate has constituted an 18-member committee tasked with overseeing the activities of the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.).

This, it said, was in a bid to strengthen transparency and accountability in the state’s governance.

Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, was named as chairman of the committee.

The announcement was made on Tuesday by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, during the resumption of plenary.

Akpabio highlighted the importance of the committee’s mandate, stating that its role was critical in ensuring effective legislative oversight in Rivers State.

Akpabio also hinted that the composition of the committee might be subject to review following further consultations.

Other members of the committee include Senators Adamu Aliero, Osita Izunaso, Osita Ngwu, Kaka Shehu, Aminu Abass, Tokunbo Abiru, Adeniyi Adebire, Sani Musa, Simon Lalong, Asuquo Ekpeyong, Adams Oshiomhole, Ireti Kingibe, Onyekachi, Idiat Adebule, Ide Dafinone, and Mohammed, alongside the Clerk of the Senate.

The Senate President charged the committee to commence its oversight duties without delay, stressing the urgency of their assignment.

He also reaffirmed the Senate’s commitment to upholding democratic processes in Rivers State.