Abuja Kidnappers: We Have Arrested Informants– Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has revealed that informants working for the kidnappers in the nation’s capital have been apprehended. The Minister shared the news during a town hall meeting with stakeholders and residents in Gwagwalada Area Council of the FCT on Friday. According to him, the end has come for kidnappers, bandits and their informants in the FCT. Wike said, “The President has asked me to assure you that he will not abandon you. So, all these criminals, be ready. Your time is up. If I say I will do something, I will do it. And now that I am here today, if you know you are an informant or even one of the criminals, the end has come for you. Security agencies and I will follow up so you won’t enter Gwagwalada again. “Some of the people giving them information, we have arrested them. If they haven’t arrested you, it doesn’t mean we won’t arrest you tomorrow or even before we leave this place.” The development is coming amidst the upsurge of kidnapping and insecurity, which has been plaguing communities in the FCT. Tension has gripped most communities after kidnappers killed three of 10 abducted victims over the delay in the payment of over N700 million ransom.

FCTA Launches Health Insurance Program For Vulnerable Pregnant Women

In a bid to mitigate maternal mortality in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has launched a specialized health insurance enrollment initiative designed for vulnerable pregnant women. Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, the Mandate Secretary of Health Services and Environment Secretariat, disclosed this during an impromptu visit to the Wassa Primary Health Care Centre within the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC). The objective of the visit, as outlined in a statement released by the secretariat, is to appraise the facility’s infrastructure, the quality of healthcare services provided, and the alignment of its operations with established healthcare standards. Dr. Fasawe emphasized that the insurance program aims to offer comprehensive healthcare assistance to pregnant women facing financial constraints while simultaneously reducing maternal mortality in the FCT. She underscored that every FCT resident should have access to high-quality healthcare services, irrespective of their social and economic status. She further expressed the urgency of the secretariat meeting the populace’s needs, which includes the provision of clean and safe drinking water to prevent the spread of waterborne diseases. Recognizing the critical importance of proper healthcare during pregnancy and the fundamental right of all pregnant women to essential healthcare without financial barriers, the secretariat has taken a proactive step by launching a special enrollment process for economically disadvantaged women. This process will provide them with the essential care they deserve. The insurance coverage will encompass a broad spectrum of services, including prenatal care, delivery, postnatal care, and other essential medical attention, all aimed at significantly reducing maternal and infant mortality rates, Dr. Fasawe added. She also stressed the government’s dedication to enhancing the health and well-being of the population through innovative healthcare interventions and community outreach programs. Additionally, FCT Minister Mr. Nyesom Wike has directed the secretariat to conduct advocacy and sensitization campaigns, enlightening the public on how and where to access affordable healthcare services within the FCT.

Wike Sets To Launch Comprehensive Roads Rehabilitation In Abuja

In a bid to enhance the state of road infrastructure in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the FCT, is gearing up to kickstart an extensive road rehabilitation and bridge repair project. The official launch is scheduled for Monday. Anthony Ogunleye, the Ministry’s Director of Press, made the announcement in a statement released on Saturday, emphasizing the significance of this initiative in improving the FCT’s road network. The comprehensive resurfacing project will target 135 roads across prominent districts such as Garki, Wuse, Gwarimpa, and Maitama. This endeavor is poised to breathe new life into these roads, ensuring their durability and improved functionality. The official flag-off ceremony is scheduled for 2 p.m. along Ladoke Akintola Boulevard in Garki II, Abuja. This marks a pivotal moment as it signifies Minister Wike’s commitment to driving rapid infrastructure development within the nation’s capital. With this initiative, Nyesom Wike aims to set a promising precedent for significant infrastructure improvements and a brighter future for the FCT’s transportation network.

FCT-IRS bemoans payment of Withholding Tax to wrong jurisdictions

The FCT Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS) has urged Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs), and contractors in the territory to remit Withholding Taxes (WHT) appropriately to it. Its spokesman, Mr Mustapha Sumaila, noted in a statement he issued in Abuja, that many organisations erroneously remitted withholding taxes meant for the FCT-IRS to other tax authorities. He stressed that it was important for taxpayers to understand tax jurisdiction rules. According to him, WHT for limited liability companies is remitted to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) while WHT for Enterprises and Individual contractors goes to Internal Revenue Services of states or to FCT-IRS. “We have observed instances where wrong tax jurisdiction is entered on the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS) platform by MDAs’ desk officers. “This error can lead to contractors suffering loss of WHT credit and relevant tax authority experiencing revenue loss. “The beneficiary of the WHT may also be denied the WHT credit. “To prevent such losses, we urge all MDA desk officers to ensure accurate data entry at the point of initiation. “We also wish to draw the attention of enterprises and individual contractors in the FCT to this issue and caution them of the potential consequences,’’ he stated. Sumaila warned that FCT-IRS would not issue Tax Clearance Certificates on WHT credit wrongly sent to other tax jurisdictions by GIFMIS platform. “We advise all taxpayers to liaise closely with their respective MDA desk officers to ensure the correct tax jurisdiction is selected during WHT remittance. “Our aim is to ensure seamless tax administration system that supports compliance, promotes ease of doing business, and upholds principles of transparency and accountability,’’ he stressed. The FCT-IRS took over the administration, collection, and accounting of taxes in the FCT from the FIRS in 2018.