Day: August 13, 2024

As the country observes women’s month, the South African Police Service (SAPS) joins the nation in celebrating its women in blue who are breaking barriers and blazing a path in their daily duties towards making South Africa a much safer and better place to live in.

In a statement on Monday, the SAPS introduced the nation to the Divisional Commissioner for Visible Policing and Operations, Lieutenant General Maropeng Johanna Mamotheti.

Mamotheti has 36 years of service having joined the organisation in 1987 as a student constable.

She was promoted to the rank of a Lieutenant General as a Divisional Commissioner for Visible Policing and Operations on 01 March 2024 where she is responsible for providing strategic leadership and management to ensure effective combating of crime prevention. This is through the provision of visible policing and operation services.

She leads and manages more than 19 000 members who are responsible for visible policing, including Operational Response Services (ORS) units such as t
he Public Order Policing (POP) unit, Tactical Response Teams (TRT), Counter Assault Team(CAT) and the Special Task Force (STF).

The Border Policing Unit which is responsible for securing the country’s land, sea and airports also fall under her command.

The Mobile Operations Unit which is responsible for securing of precious metals and minerals also falls under her command.

Before she was promoted to this role this year, she served in various positions within the SAPS, including the Deputy Provincial Commissioner for Support Services in the Northern Cape and also served as the Component Head for Social Crime Prevention where she was responsible for enhancing partnership policing programmes.

She also served as the Component Head of Firearms, Liquor and Second-Hand Goods (FLASH) at Head Office.

Under her command, the component managed to reduce the backlog in firearm licensing and firearms amnesty applications by 94%.

In the 2021/2022 financial year, she oversaw the finalisation of more than 531 000 firear
ms related applications. The effective management of the amnesty applications reduced the number of illegal firearms in circulation in the country.

In this role, she has also overseen the destruction of more than 263 000 firearms that were voluntarily surrendered to the state and confiscated during crime combatting operations across the country.

‘The focus of our operations is to remove illegal firearms of our streets. We are seizing firearms on a weekly basis and our goal is to ensure we make the country a safer place to live in. Firearms are the most preferred weapon when violent crime is committed and that is why we must intensify our operations in this regard,’ she said.

Mamotheti holds a Diploma in Policing, a BTech degree in Policing and a Bachelor of Commerce in Human Resource Management.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says it will forgo N188.37 billion in import duties following the Federal Government’s directive to remove tariffs and other import duties on key food staples.

The Comptroller-General of NCS, Adewale Adeniyi, made this disclosure in his keynote address at the second Economic Confidential Lecture and Book Presentation in Abuja on Tuesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that to alleviate food inflation in Nigeria, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, announced on July 8 the suspension of duties, tariffs, and taxes on certain food staples imported through land and sea borders.

These staples include maize, husked brown rice, wheat, and cowpeas. The measure introduces a 150-day duty-free import window for these food commodities, to be implemented over a period of 180 days.

According to Adeniyi, the six-month tariff suspension could result in a revenue forfeiture of approximately N188.37 billion, which represents the government’s commitment t
o prioritising food security over short-term revenue goals.

He noted that the removal of tariffs and import duties on key staples for the next six months represented a considerable sacrifice in terms of potential revenue.

The NCS estimates that the total import of these food items between 2020 and 2023 was more than N3.8 trillion generating more than N191 billion in custom duties, and more than N562 billion in various levies paid to the government.

Adeniyi assured that the NCS would ensure seamless clearance of the listed foods, create special corridors to expedite their clearance, build the capacity of its personnel, and shore up its anti-smuggling measures to prevent the influx of unlisted food items.

Vice-President Kashim Shettima, speaking on the theme of the lecture, `Leveraging on Effective Communication for Revenue Generation and Economic Development` said the President Bola Tinubu’s administration was implementing hard reforms aimed at salvaging Nigeria’s economy.

The Vice-President`s speech was
delivered by Dr Tope Fasua, the Special Adviser to the President on Economic Affairs, Office of the Vice President.

He highlighted the government’s achievements, including growing foreign reserves to more than N37 billion and achieving a standard transmission of 4,500 megawatts of electricity.

He added that the Federal Government had provided conditional cash transfers to more than one million families to alleviate their living difficulties and had settled seven billion dollars in inherited foreign obligations, among other measures.

Alhaji Yushau Shuaib, Managing Director, Image Merchants Limited (IMPR), the organisers of the lecture series, commended the C-G for his efforts toward repositioning NCS and working in sync to implement Tinubu’s economic reforms.

Shuaib said that the book titled, `Impactful Public Relations in Customs Management` was written following the strategic communications adopted by NCS to provoke constructive engagement and healthy dialogue with its various publics.

NAN reports that
awards of excellence by IMPR were presented to the C-G of Customs, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Gov. Muhammed Yahaya of Gombe, Gov. Sanwo Olu of Lagos and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

While the President has signed into law the Public Procurement Act, the provisions of the Act are not in force yet.

‘The President will bring the provisions of the Act into operation through a proclamation in the Gazette,’ National Treasury said on Tuesday.

The Public Procurement Act, 2024 (Act No. 28 of 2024) was approved by the President and published as an Act in the Government Gazette on 23 July 2024.

READ | Public Procurement Act to direct public funds to where they are intended

The legislation aims to create a single framework that regulates public procurement, including preferential procurement, by all organs of state, with the necessary efficiency, cost-effectiveness and integrity.

As enacted by the President, the Public Procurement Act addresses weaknesses in the procurement of goods and services by organs of State that have in the past enabled various degrees of corruption, including State capture.

‘Section 69 of the Act enables the President to bring the provisions into operation on different
dates (phased approach) and to determine different dates for different categories of procuring institutions such as national and provincial departments, national and provincial public entities and municipalities and municipal entities.

‘The Act also allows for the repeal or amendment of different provisions of a law to be brought into operation on different dates. For example, the repeal of the Preferential Policy Procurement Framework Act, 2000 (PPPFA), and Chapter 4 of the Act (including provisions of other Chapters necessary for its implementation) and required regulations should take effect on the same date,’ National Treasury said.

Many provisions of the Act require regulations before the accompanying provisions of the Act could be brought into operation.

The process of making regulations involves consultation with affected Ministers, the South African Local Government Association (SALGA), and the public and Parliamentary scrutiny as outlined in section 64 of the Act. Different regulations for differe
nt categories of procuring institutions and for different types of procurement are provided in section 64.

‘The making of regulations regarding procurement of infrastructure and capital assets, and goods and services related to infrastructure and capital assets, are a mandatory requirement.

‘The recommendations on the effective dates of various provisions of the Act and the accompanying regulations will consider the readiness of the affected procuring institutions to implement.

‘The current procurement framework provided for under the Public Finance Management Act, 1999, the Municipal Finance Management Act, 2003, the PPPFA and other applicable legislation, remain in place until the relevant provisions of the Public Procurement Act, 2024, and accompanying regulations take effect,’ National Treasury said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Former presidents Muhammadu Buhari, Goodluck Jonathan, who attended the Council of State meeting on Tuesday physically, and all other former presidents who attended virtually, passed a vote of confidence in President Bola Tinubu.

Mr Dele Alake, Minister of Solid Minerals Development, said this while briefing State House correspondents at the end of the Council of State meeting in Abuja.

‘A lot of issues were exhaustively discussed at the meeting, and the governors were all in attendance as well as some ministers who were invited to make presentations.

‘We made presentations on our road map, on what we’ve been able to achieve, the prospects and the challenges in our various ministries. At the end, we all passed a vote of confidence in President Tinubu,’ he said.

He said the ministers of Solid Minerals, Finance and the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Trade and Investment, Budget and National Budget, Agriculture, Works and Attorney General were invited to make presentations to the Council.

He said the
individual presentations by the ministers were well received based on the feedbacks received.

Alake said the Council also discussed the recent nationwide protest, which he said was an attempt to effect a change of regime by force.

‘And so the Council thanked Nigerians at large for resisting an unconstitutional move to change the government. If anybody is not satisfied with any government, there’s an election coming. So, wait for the election,’ he said.

He said Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser, also briefed the Council on the security situation in the country.

‘We were assured that nobody will be allowed to truncate our hard-earned democracy.

‘Any change of government has to be through the ballot, and not through the barrel of the gun, or through insurrection, or through any other unconstitutional means.

‘We were reassured on the readiness of all security agencies in the country to secure our territorial integrity and to protect Nigeria’s democracy,’ said Alake.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq
of Kwara and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), said one of the outcomes of the Council of State meeting was the unanimous passage of a confidence of confidence in President Tinubu.

‘Members, especially those of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, were satisfied with the presentation by the members of the Federal Executive Council.

‘Members of the NGF also, like the members of the Council of State, passed a vote of confidence in Mr President,’ said the governor.

Mr Wale Edun, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, said he gave an update on the progress of macroeconomic policies being implemented by the Tinubu administration.

‘These policies are anchored on eight priority areas; and the results to date have been very encouraging.

‘We looked at the data, we reported on the evidence of this half year, which we compared to the first quarter and the second quarter of 2023.

‘And in broad terms, the economy is growing. The balance of payments in particular, the trade balance and t
he currency balance are in surplus.

‘The exchange rate is stabilising, and inflation is not uncomfortably high. It is slowing and it is set to fall,’ said Edun.

According to him, there has been support for the economy from foreign and domestic investors who are participating in important private public partnerships, particularly in the infrastructure sector.

‘So, we reported that we will ensure that the interventions and the measures to ameliorate the high cost of living for individuals, for the agricultural sector, for industry, for small-scale businesses will continue to be implemented.

‘On that basis, we reported an optimistic outlook for the Nigerian economy and the Nigerian society in general,’ said Edun.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Minister in Presidency responsible for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, has congratulated Mia Le Roux who was recently crowned Miss South Africa 2024.

The 28-year-old Le Roux who was born in Sasolburg, Free State, and raised in Oudtshoorn, Western Cape, was crowned Miss South Africa during a glittering ceremony held at the Sun Bet Arena in Menlyn, Pretoria East, on Saturday night.

Le Roux, who is deaf, became the first Miss South Africa and differently abled finalist in the history of the pageant.

READ | Mia Le Roux wins Miss South Africa

Prior to entering the competition, Le Roux worked full-time as a marketing manager for a start-up company. She is also studying a Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing part time at Unisa.

In her congratulatory message, Chikunga said Le Roux’s incredible achievement speaks volumes, not just for her beauty and grace, but for her strength, resilience, and determination.

‘You have shown the world that true beauty shines from within, and that our
differences only make us stronger. You have broken barriers and redefined what it means to be a queen.

‘May your reign be filled with joy, pride, and the knowledge that you are a beacon of hope and inspiration to countless others. Wishing you continued success and happiness in all your future endeavours,’ Chikunga said.

The Minister also noted that her win will assist to carry the baton of hope and trust among young people.

‘We also wish to encourage Le Roux to become an ambassador to address the rights of persons with disabilities, while also assisting with dismantling social, psychological, and structural barriers, which remain major challenges for people with disabilities,’ Chikunga said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The Federal Capital Territory Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS) has pledged to support the development and infrastructural drive of the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike in the territory.

Mr Michael Ango, the new acting Executive Chairman of the service made the pledge when he assumed office in Abuja on Tuesday.

Ango, while addressing the management staff of the agency pledged to run an open-door policy as well as ensure President Bola Tinubu’s vision to grow Nigeria’s economy.

He also promised to support the agenda of the Minister of FCT to create a modern and truly 21st century capital city.

This, he said, was being done through the provision of critical infrastructure, social services and a secure and friendly environment comparable to any developed nation in the world.

According to Ango, the FCT-IRS is the major source of revenue generation for the territory to fund its major projects with minimal dependence on federal allocation.

‘My mandate is straight forward, to implement the president’s vision for
making Nigeria a truly prosperous nation.

‘A nation that is able to provide its citizens with the opportunities and environment to meet their individual and collective aspirations, with particular focus on the FCT.’

He called for the support of members of staff of the agency including its immediate past acting executive chairman, Mr Haruna Abdullahi.

Ango commended Abdullahi, describing him as a friend, brother and colleague over the years.

‘We will work together to make the transition seamless, with minimal disruption to our day-to-day operations.

‘For all the staff, we will embark on a new journey from today and I need the cooperation of everyone.

‘I thank you all for warmly receiving me and I look forward to working with all of you starting from now,’ he said.

Earlier in his remarks, the outgone chairman, Abdullahi expressed his gratitude for the opportunity given to him to serve.

Abdullahi pledged to give the necessary support to the new acting chairman.

‘The institution has come a long way; we a
re excited with this development because Ango has always been part of this institution.

‘He has always been there for me when I needed him. He has never said no to me or the FCT-IRS. I am happy that this is happening. I have assured him that I will always be around if he needs me.

‘I will always be available for any clarity he may require. FCT-IRS has been my blood, my family for the last six to seven years so anything that pertains to the service I will be interested in being part of it,’ Abdullahi said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ango was appointed acting chairman of the agency by Tinubu on Friday.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria