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Audit Query: NNPC GMD, 17 Subsidiaries fail again to appear Before Reps C’tte ***C’tte Accuses MTN of Tax Evasion

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Crude Oil Theft: Kyari Calls for Strategic Collaboration Among Stakeholders

 

By John Akubo

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company, (NNPC) limited and its 17 subsidiaries for the umpteenth time failed to appear before the Public Account Committee of the House Representatives to answer to multiple audit queries raised against them by the office of the Auditor General of the Federation

The committee is investigating NNPC limited, the Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN) alongside telecommunication firm, MTN based on the annual audit report of the Auditor General of the Federation, (AGoF) between 2014-2019 financial year and non rendition of audited account by NNPC subsidiaries covering the same period

The NNPC Management had pleaded with the Committee two weeks ago to issue fresh summons on the 17 subsidiaries through the Group Managing Director, Mele Kyari.

This followed the observation of the Committee that the GMD might have been shielding them from honouring several summons issued to them with total assurance that the GMD would produce them before the Committee

Read Also >> NNPC To Rebuild Roads Under Tax Credit Scheme, As GMD Engages PTD, NARTO, FIRS, Others

However, At the resumed hearing of the Committee sitting on Wednesday, the NNPC in a letter addressed to the Chairman of the Committee, Hon Busayo Oluwole Oke (Osun- PDP) the Group Managing Director, Mallam Mele Kyari stated that he was engaged in a function on theft of crude oil in the Niger Delta, hence his unavailability

The Committee therefore, ceded to his request for an extension of time and fixed 29th April when Kyari would appear in person with the relevant documents for the investigation

The committee was however, frowned at MTN’s unwillingness to cooperate by tendering requested documents that would ease the findings of the lawmakers.
The Chairman of the committee described the attitude of the telecom firm as ‘disrespectful to the parliament” especially that the company replied parliament’s invitation letter to the MD through an Executive Director, MD

Besides, the lawmakers lamented the abuse of fiscal regulations by individuals and companies doing business in the country as most of them were found to be evading taxes

The General Manager, (GM) financial operations of MTN Yemisi Adeleye who appeared before the lawmakers failed to tender a certificate of assets status of the company, issued her organization by the ministry of trade and investment

The certificate was expected to contain the assets of the company which would determine how much tax was expected of them.

Since incorporation in 2001, the GM said that MTN had invested more than N3.4 trillion into the Nigerian economy and had paid more than N2.5 trillion in taxes, levies and other regulatory fees as at December 2021 including N669 billion in 2021 alone

The Committee directed the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) to furnish it with all MTN import duty documents as well as other relevant tax documents to ascertain if waivers were given legally or wrongly to the telecom firm

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House of Reps Member, Isa Dogonyaro Passes Away

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Isa Dogonyaro, a 46-year-old member of the House of Representatives representing Babura/Garki Federal Constituency in Jigawa State, has passed away.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker reportedly died in Abuja on Friday following a short illness, according to a statement of condolences released by the House of Representatives spokesperson, Akin Rotimi.

The statement read, “It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Hon Isa Dogonyaro (Kogunan Ringim), the distinguished member representing the Babura/Garki Federal Constituency of Jigawa State in the 10th Assembly of the House of Representatives. Hon Dogonyaro passed away after a brief illness.

“Hon Isa Dogonyaro was a dedicated and passionate legislator who served his constituents and the nation with utmost commitment.

“He was a pillar in the House, contributing significantly to the development of legislation, particularly in the area of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Control, where he served as the Deputy Chairman of the House Committee.

Elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, Hon Dogonyaro was known for his integrity, diligence, and unwavering dedication to the welfare of the Nigerian people. His presence will be sorely missed in the hallowed chambers of the House of Representatives.”

The statement emphasized the qualities of the late lawmaker, Hon Isa Dogonyaro, not only as a legislator but also as a commendable Nigerian.

“Hon Isa Dogonyaro was a detribalized patriot who was very jovial as much as he was an intellectual. He built strong bonds of friendship with Honourable members from all parts of the country. He is survived by wives and children.

“In this moment of grief, our thoughts and prayers are with his family, constituents, colleagues, and the people of Jigawa State. We pray for strength and comfort for all who mourn his passing.”

The statement added “Details of his funeral arrangements will be communicated in due course.”

 

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JUST IN: Court Denies Yahaya Bello’s Plea To Halt Fraud Trial

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In a significant legal blow to former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, the Federal High Court in Abuja has rejected his request to suspend proceedings in his trial for alleged N80.2 billion fraud.

Bello sought a stay of execution citing an ongoing appeal by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against a contempt application he filed against EFCC chairman, Ola Olukayode.

Justice Emeka Nwite delivered the ruling on Friday, rejecting Bello’s application presented by his lawyer, Abdulwahab Mohammed.

Nwite stated that “The application cannot be entertained unless the defendant is present in the court. In the absence of the defendant in court, the motion on notice filed by the complainant can only be conducted if the defendant is in court”.

Justice Nwite admonished Bello for undermining the seriousness of the criminal case by opting to stay at home and disregard court orders.

 

 

More to follow……………. 

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On SYNLAB Nigeria’s Secured Patient Portal, Test Result Delivery’s Safe Alternative

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In the bid to address the dangers associated with emailing test results of patients, SYNLAB Nigeria, a member of the SYNLAB Group, with ISO15189 Certification in medical diagnostic services, has come up with a secured patient portal as a safer alternative.

Biztellers reports that SYNLAB is a global diagnostic service provider with presence in 35 countries and over 30 active locations across Nigeria.

According to SYNLAB Nigeria its secured patient portal has numerous advantages such as, restricted access which confers on the portal offers a more controlled environment for accessing test results.

It pointed out that the individualised log-in credentials, drastically reduces the risk of unauthorised access, ensuring that only the intended recipient or the patient, can gain access to the confidential health information.

Still on the features, SYNLAB Nigeria highlighted that it comes with enhanced encryption.

It was gathered that this added layer of security, safeguards the transmission and storage of test results, protecting them from interception by malicious entities.

The SYNLAB Nigeria’s patient portal has a user-friendly interface, which ensures that patients could easily access and intuitive advantage of by registering on the firm’s website.

On the SYNLAB Nigeria’s website, it stated, “They can also contact our customer support on ng.enquiry@synlab.com, WhatsApp 08104607653 or walk into any of our 32 physical locations across the country to register”.

Using the patients’ portal, SYNLAB Nigeria maintains has become necessary because while the convenience of email is unquestionable, the risks associated with transmitting sensitive health information, such as test results, cannot be ignored.

“In an era where individuals access their email on various devices, the potential for unintended exposure is a critical concern.

“By embracing the secured patient portal, patients can avoid these risks, ensuring that they access their test results in a secure and confidential manner.

“Beyond safeguarding sensitive information SYNLAB also seeks to foster a culture of privacy and security in healthcare interactions through the adoption of the patient portal,” it added.

The diagnostic expert noted that unintentional access compromises patients’ privacy with high potential for ethical and legal issues.

To drive the point home, SYNLAB Nigeria share a case scenario, using fictitious names.

It stated, “Sarah, wrestling with the news of an unplanned pregnancy, had decided to confide in her mother when the time was right. However, the delicate balance of trust was disrupted when the mother, Anne, curious about an email notification on the shared family computer, opened a document containing Sarah’s test result.

“The consequences of this unintended intrusion were felt immediately. Instead of the empathetic and supportive conversation that Sarah had hoped for, Anne’s discovery led to a confrontational exchange fuelled by emotions of betrayal and disappointment.”

SYNLAB Nigeria opined that this possible scenario draws attention to the inherent risks associated with delivering sensitive test results via email.

“In an age where digital communication is commonplace, the convenience of email often comes at the cost of privacy, as demonstrated in the story of Anne and Sarah.

“The email, a seemingly innocent means of communication, became a channel for unintended consequences. It allowed Anne access to information that Sarah had not yet shared, and the resulting breach of trust altered the trajectory of their relationship,” it added.

The diagnostic expert, also noted that Anne’s inadvertent access to Sarah’s test results underpinned the potential for unintended recipients to view confidential information.

It is the considered opinion of SYNLAB Nigeria that in the healthcare space, where privacy is paramount, this poses a significant risk to patient confidentiality.

Against this backdrop, SYNLAB Nigeria highlighted other dangers of emailing patients’ diagnostic results, as lack of encryption, saying emails, even those containing sensitive health information, were often transmitted without end-to-end encryption.

The firm also pointed out that absence of encryption exposes the data to potential interception, especially when accessed on public networks, adding that it further jeopardises the confidentiality of the test results.

Expatiating on limited control, it said when an email is delivered, control over who can access the information diminishes using the case point of Anne and Sarah, adding that lack of control over who could view the results led to a breach of Sarah’s privacy and a breakdown in trust.

It also raised the issue of digital sharing, which might be indiscriminate.

SYNLAB Nigeria noted that once someone accesses a digital document, the person could easily share it in one click to anyone else.

“The document alone can be transferred to other platforms and shared or the whole mail can easily be shared. Imagine that Anne, shared Sarah’s result to her father and siblings immediately she saw it,” it pointed out.

SYNLAB Nigeria is the leader in medical diagnostic services and specialty testing in Europe and offers a full range of innovative and reliable medical diagnostics to patients, practising doctors, hospitals and clinics, governments and corporates.

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