Economy
We Do Not Impose Multiple Taxes, Levies on Private Schools- Enugu Government
Enugu State Government says it does not collect multiple taxes and levies from private school owners and other organisations in the state.
The government made the clarification while reacting to the allegation that its ministries and agencies collected multiple taxes and levies from private primary and secondary schools in the state.
Some of the officials, who spoke with reporters on Saturday in Enugu, said individuals and organisations were being charged as required and stipulated by the laws in the state.
In his reaction, the General Manager, Enugu State Structures for Signage and Advertisement Agency (ENSSAA), Mr Ike Ezeugwu said the law establishing the agency allowed for control of outdoor structures which schools were inclusive.
According to him, the law forbids anyone to provide any outdoor structure without approval from the ENSSAA.
He denied forcing any school to erect billboards but maintained that schools who had it must surely pay for it.
“If you have a school and feel like you can run it without billboard and signage, ENSSAA will not come for you.
“We are only interested in signage. Advertisement is a marketing strategy and if you want to use it, you pay,” Ezugwu said.
Speaking also, the Director of Collection, the State Board of Internal Revenue (BIR), Mrs Chinwe Atama, said that individuals and organisations were assessed according to the established laws of pay as you earn.
She said that BIR had not double taxed anyone or organisation, saying that people often mistook other levies as tax.
The State Chairman, Association of Private School Owners of Nigeria (APSON) Enugu, Mr Emeka Grahams, had alleged that imposition of multiple taxes and levies by some government agencies posed a great challenge to them.
According to him, the huge amount we pay as taxes and levies worries our members and hinders development of private schools in the state.
He alleged that from time to time, some officials and representatives of these government agencies would demand certain amount from the school owners.
Grahams listed taxes and levies paid by the association as sanitation, Fumigation, Signage and Advert, Television and Radio, Health bills as well as the one they Paid to the Board of Internal Revenue (BIR).
Graham, a private school proprietor, said these agencies and many Nigerians regarded private schools as millionaires irrespective of expenses they incurred.
“When it comes for collection of these levies, they ask other business owners to pay N2,000 but for private schools, they will ask us to pay N2 million.
“Most of them always come with threats of shutting down schools, arresting students, teachers or school property.
“Even touts and other unknown faces can get up anytime to request money from us and if any member is not courageous, they will scam him or her.
“It is a very big challenge and worrisome to us,” Grahams said.
The chairman had appealed to government to map out a strategy for schools to know legitimate government agents. (NAN)
Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy says upgrading the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron to a university, will unlock opportunities in the maritime economy.
Oyetola made the expression at the 2024 MAN cadets graduation ceremony in Oron, Akwa Ibom on Saturday.
Represented by Mr Babatunde Bombata, the Director, Maritime Safety and Security, the minister said the Federal Government was working assiduously to unlock opportunities within the marine and blue economy.
He said that the ministry was already collaborating with the Ministry of Education and the Nigerian Universities Commission to ensure MAN’s seamless transition to a university.
“It is our hope that this upgrade will unlock new opportunities for advanced learning, cutting edge research and innovation within the marine and blue economy fields,” he said.
Oyetola urged the graduating cadets to be innovative, resourceful and forward looking in their future endeavours.
“The maritime and blue economy sectors are filled with opportunities, so your contributions to the sector will be instrumental in ensuring a brighter future.
“The government is committed to fostering excellence and innovation in these fields, and we eagerly anticipate the positive impact you will make in your careers,” he said.
He further said that the Federal Government was working on developing a national policy on marine and blue economy.
“This policy will serve as a strategic framework to drive economic diversification, attract investments, create jobs and youth empowerment.
In his remarks, Gov. Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom, said the state government would continue to collaborate with the academy to develop the maritime sector.
Represented by the Commissioner for Internal Security and Waterways, Gen. Koko Essien, (Rtd), Eno urged the graduating cadets to utilise their training in developing the maritime sector.
“I am hopeful that you will utilise the training you have acquired here to further your career as seafarers and in the development of our blue economy,” he said.
Eno commended the Acting Rector, Dr Kevin Okonna and his management team for their commitment towards repositioning the academy for greater results.
Earlier, Okonna said that graduates of the institution had contributed immensely to the growth of Nigeria’s maritime and blue economy.
“Today, we have an opportunity to celebrate a new set of well-trained personnel to the maritime and allied industries.
“We pride ourselves as the pioneer maritime training institution, this is because of the institution’s contributions to national development,” he said.
The acting rector urged the graduating cadets to made effective use of the knowledge gained during their training to make meaningful impact on the growth of the maritime sector.
Report says that awards were given to graduating cadets who distinguished themselves in character and learning. (NAN)
The Nigerian Exchange Ltd. (NGX) continued its bullish trend on Wednesday, gaining N183 billion.
Accordingly, the market capitalisation, which opened at N59.532 trillion, gained N184 billion or 0.31 per cent to close at N59.715 trillion.
The All-Share Index also added 0.31 per cent or 303 points, to settle at 98,509.
68, against 98,206. 97 recorded on Tuesday.Consequently, the Year-To-Date (YTD) return increased to 31.
74 per cent.Gains in Aradel Holdings, Zenith Bank, United Bank For Africa(UBA), Oando Plc, Nigerian Breweries among other advanced equities drove the market performance up.
Market breadth closed positive with 34 gainers and 17 losers.
On the gainers’ chart, Africa Prudential, Conoil and RT Briscoe led by 10 per cent each to close at N14.30, N352 and N2.42 per share, respectively.
Golden Guinea Breweries followed by 9.95 per cent to close at N7.18, while NEM Insurance rose by 9.74 per cent to close at N10.70 per share.
On the other hand, Julius Berger led the losers’ chart by 10 per cent to close at N155.25, Secure Electronic Technology Plc trailed by 9.52 per cent to close at 57k per share.
Multiverse lost 7.63 per cent to close at N5.45, Haldane McCall dropped 6.07 per cent to close at N4.95 and Honeywell Flour shed 5.62 per cent to close at N4.70 per share.
Analysis of the market activities showed trade turnover settled lower relative to the previous session, with the value of transactions down by 49.44 per cent.
A total of 320.10 million shares valued at N6.48 billion were exchanged in 7,943 deals, compared with 939.41 million shares valued at N12.81billion traded in 9,098 deals posted in the previous session.
Meanwhile, ETranzact led the activity chart in volume with 70.27 million shares, while Aradel led in value of deals worth N1.22 billion.(NAN)
The central parity rate of the Chinese currency renminbi, or the Yuan, weakened 22 pips to 7.1870 against the dollar on Monday.This is according to the China Foreign Exchange Trade System.In China’s spot foreign exchange market, the Yuan is allowed to rise or fall by two per cent from the central parity rate each trading day.
The central parity rate of the Yuan against the dollar is based on a weighted average of prices offered by market makers before the opening of the interbank market each business day. (Xinhua/NAN)
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