*As Senate confirms Zaccheus Adedeji as FIRS Chairman
WorldStage Newsonline– President Bola Tinubu has sought the approval of Senate for the 2024-2026 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF)and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP).
Tinubu’s request is contained in a letter addressed to President of Senate, Ahmed Lawan and read at plenary on Tuesday.
“I am pleased to submit the 2024 – 2026 Medium Term Expenditure Framework, MTEF and Fiscal Strategy Paper, FSP to the National Assembly.
“Let me use this medium to express my gratitude to the Senate for his enduring commitment to the partnership between the legislative and executive arms of government.
“Pursuant to the provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007 and preparations towards submission of the 2024 budget to the National Assembly is progressing very well.
“The MTEF and the FSP were prepared against the backdrop of a political transition, as well as global issues such as the Russia and Ukraine war, which continues unabated with severe consequences on global and energy prices,” he said.
Tinubu added: “We are also faced with challenges in domestic revenue mobilisation and significantly elevated public debts.
“Additionally, many economies around the world have witnessed increased inflation with in particular adverse effects on capital flows to emerging markets.
“In order to begin the process of preparing the 2024–2026 budget on schedule.
“I hereby forward the 2024 – 2026 MTEF and FSP to the National Assembly for their kind expeditious consideration and approval of the Senate in order to bring the 2024 Federal Government of Nigeria’s budget preparations process to timely closure.”
President of Senate, Godswill Akpabio referred the MTEF and FSP to the Committees on Finance, Appropriations, National Planning and Economic Affairs and Local and Foreign Debt for further legislative input.
AGBASI AS FERMA MD
President Bola Tinubu has sought the approval of Senate for the confirmation of Dr Chukwuemeka Agbasi as the Managing Director, Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA).
Tinubu’s request is contained in a letter addressed to President of Senate and read at plenary on Tuesday.
“In accordance with the provision of Section 2(3) of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) Act, 2007.
” I am pleased to present for confirmation by the Senate, the appointments of the underlisted eleven persons as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer and Members of the Governing Board of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency.
“Dr Chukwuemeka Chijioke Agbasi as Managing Director.
“Others listed for appointment as executive board members included, Ibi Manasseh, Oye Ojobe, Dr Kenneth Ugbala, Sen. Timothy Aduda, Babatunde Daramola Onnu, Preye Oseke, Aminu Adamu, Abubakar Bappa, Shehu Mohammed and Yusuf Othman.
“Whilst hoping that this request will receive the expeditious consideration of the Senate, please accept Distinguished Senate President, the assurances of my highest consideration,” he said.
Tinubu in a separate letter also sought the approval of Senate for appointment of the Auditor- General for the Federation.
“In compliance with the provisions of Section 86(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended)
” I am pleased to present, for confirmation by the Senate, the appointment of Mr. Shaakaa Chira as Auditor- General for the Federation, further to the recommendation of the Federal Civil Service Commission.
“While hoping that the request will receive the usual expeditious consideration of the Senate, Please accept, Distinguished Senate President, the assurances of my highest regards,” Tinubu said.
ZACCHEUS ADEDEJI IS FIRS CHAIRMAN
Meanwhile, the Senate has confirmed the appointment of Mr Zaccheus Adedeji as the Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS).
This follows the adoption of a motion by the Senate Leader, Sen. Opeyemi Bamidele (APC-Ekiti) at the Committee of the Whole on Tuesday.
Presenting the motion, Bamidele urged the Senate to consider the request of President Bola Tinubu for the confirmation of Adedeji for appointment as Executive Chairman of FIRS.
Prior to the screening and confirmation procedures, the Senate suspended its rule to allow the admittance of the nominee and other guests into the Red Chamber.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Sen. Abdullahi Gumel led the nominee into the Red Chamber.
Thereafter, the nominee gave the highlights of his career profile and professional experiences.
Adedeji was Commissioner for Finance in Oyo State, as well as Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Revenue, before his nomination as FIRS Chairman-designate.
The new FIRS boss told the lawmakers during his screening that, if confirmed, he would work to develop data upon which revenue generation would be anchored.
He stressed that there was need to improve on the data mining capacity of the nation.
Adedeji also said he would promote the national identification system for data generation, saying that FIRS under him would make best use of data for revenue generation.
While responding to further questions on tax credit scheme, pioneer status and wavier policies, for companies, he said there was need to ascertain it based on current realities.
According to him, this is necessary if the laws enacting the policies are still serving the initial purpose for which it was earlier formulated.
He said that current realities necessitated looking at the laws by re-evaluating and re-assessing the policies on waivers, tax credit and pioneer status.
