Fire Service: FG Approves N403m For Water Tankers

Abdulrahman Dambazau, Minister of Interior, said the Federal Executive Council has approved N403million to buy  15 water carrying vehicles for the Federal Fire Service to further revamp the fire service unit.

“Today’s council approved the procurement of some water carrying vehicles for the Federal Fire Service, this is in an attempt to further revamp the federal fire service which has experienced dearth of equipment for a very long time and that with the challenges we have in terms of fire incidents all over the country.

“The last time I spoke I told you the government is making every effort to make sure that the fire service is revamped so that we have the necessary equipment, training and personnel to be able to face the challenges.

“Today as part of it,  FEC approved what is remaining of the 2016 budget, the procurement of 15 water tankers that have the capacity to be used as fighting trucks.

“This is costing the government N403million out of the budget that was appropriated in 2016.

“The total budget is about 5.5billion naira for the procurement of fire-fighting equipment and we have already procured a lot from that.’’

Earlier, the minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun said  that the council approved the ratification for the establishment of the West African Tax Administration forum. She stated that the forum is a platform to promote mutual agreement and cooperation among West African tax authorities.

“Nigeria is the host of this body but we have ratified the project. The effect of it is that there will be better information sharing and cooperation between countries within West Africa on tax administration. This is really part of our tax reform efforts.

“As you know Nigerians own properties in Ghana and other neigbouring countries, now for tax purposes they will be able to have access to that type of information.

“Linked to that is the directive of the FEC to the SGF to remind companies that there is an existing provision in the law that companies are supposed to have on their letter headed papers the names of their directors and their registered offices but what we have seen is that many bodies that are transacting business with government simply have the names of the company and no details of who the directors are.

“So for tax purposes it is quite difficult to trace them, so the SGF will be issuing a circular reminding agencies and ministries of government that it is the law and therefore they are at liberty not to treat any document that doesn’t comply with the law.

“And equally the Accountant General is being advised that payment will only be effected to companies that are fully in compliance with the law just to make sure that all those who are doing business with government and making from government are paying the right taxes.’’

She also said that the council also endorsed the 500 million Eurobond, saying that the National Assembly had already approved the Eurobond.

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