“In 2015, the federal government will be ramping up the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS)/McKinsey initiative to contribute an extra N160 billion in tax receipts and an aggregate of about N460 billion over and above the 2014 levels in the 2015-2017 period,” Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala said.

“There will be a surcharge on Business and First Class Tickets on Airlines. There will be no surcharge on economy tickets. There is also an imposition of 3 per cent luxury surcharge on champagnes, wines and spirits to generate about N2.3 billion in 2015;

In taxes, the minister hinted of a possible but gradual increase in Value Added Tax (VAT) but only as a long term measure, but in the medium term, focus will be on tax policy to see where opportunities lie to streamline and rationalize certain taxes and levies whilst looking to boost others.

Since 2004, no South Easterner can boast of buying any petroleum product at the government approved rate always, while the Govt approved rate is 97naira, south easterners buy between 110-115 naira, have you guys bothered to ask why? Ans; Enugu Depot is not working.

This is how it works, Petrol used in Enugu, Ebonyi, and Anambra come from either Portharcourt or Warri, if the right thing is done, it is supposed to be coming from the Enugu depot, the increased transport fare (tanker hire) will be added to the products so it hardly sells for the Govt approved rate.

Now you know, for a pretty long time, you guys have suffered this and Govt after Govt including Jonathan your beloved didn't care as much as OBJ never cared, do you know what the problem is ?

There is a pipeline section at Okigwe, it is not like the whole pipeline have to be replaced but just the Okigwe section, that is the Genesis of your suffering. I am yet to understand the zombie follower ship Jonathan has in the South East, South- South his father land has already dropped him like a hot object (Rivers and Bayelsa), what is the SE waiting for?

According to Patrick Obahiagbon " there is no reason for Nigerians to pontificate the faucet origo of a presidential aspirant" whatever that means .

There is an Igbo adage that says that the Local dog follows a man with running stomach with the hope that if he doesn't vomit, he will defecate, so far, Jonathan as the man with the running stomach has refused to defecate nor Vomit, it is mind bugling why the South easterners are following him about.

There is an Igbo adage that says that the Local dog follows a man with running stomach with the hope that if he doesn't vomit, he will defecate, so far, Jonathan as the man with the running stomach has refused to defecate nor Vomit, it is mind bugling why the South easterners are following him about.

jpphilips post= 31078144:

r can boast of buying any petroleum product at the government approved rate always, while the Govt approved rate is 97naira, south easterners buy between 110-115 naira, have you guys bothered to ask why? Ans; Enugu Depot is not working.

This is how it works, Petrol used in Enugu, Ebonyi, and Anambra come from either Portharcourt or Warri, if the right thing is done, it is supposed to be coming from the Enugu depot, the increased 31078144 fare (tanker hire) will be added to the products so it hardly sells for the Govt approved rate.

Now you know, for a pretty long time, you guys have suffered this and Govt after Govt including Jonathan your beloved didn't care as much as OBJ never cared, do you know what the problem is ?

There is a pipeline section at Okigwe, it is not like the whole pipeline have to be replaced but just the Okigwe section, that is the Genesis of your suffering. I am yet to understand the zombie follower ship Jonathan has in the South East, South- South his father land has already dropped him like a hot object (Rivers and Bayelsa), what is the SE waiting for?

jpphilips:

r can boast of buying any petroleum product at the government approved rate always, while the Govt approved rate is 97naira, south easterners buy between 110-115 naira, have you guys bothered to ask why? Ans; Enugu Depot is not working.

This is how it works, Petrol used in Enugu, Ebonyi, and Anambra come from either Portharcourt or Warri, if the right thing is done, it is supposed to be coming from the Enugu depot, the increased 31078144 fare (tanker hire) will be added to the products so it hardly sells for the Govt approved rate.

Now you know, for a pretty long time, you guys have suffered this and Govt after Govt including Jonathan your beloved didn't care as much as OBJ never cared, do you know what the problem is ?

There is a pipeline section at Okigwe, it is not like the whole pipeline have to be replaced but just the Okigwe section, that is the Genesis of your suffering. I am yet to understand the zombie follower ship Jonathan has in the South East, South- South his father land has already dropped him like a hot object (Rivers and Bayelsa), what is the SE waiting for?

jpphilips:

What it means for the Igbo man is that 2015 will
not be business as usual, even though you are
deceived to vote as usual, Igbos should expect
very high duty this year which will make your
goods expensive hence lower your patronage, this
is Jonathan's Greek gift for your 2015 patronage
at the polls.
It is no longer news that 1 US dollar is
exchanging for 210 naira, what it means to an
average Igbo man is that if your 40ft container is
worth $60,000 (9.3m naira) you will need 12.6m
to order the same 40ft container you just bought
last year. At the port, Jonathan will send you
another message through Iweala, and if you don't
have 3.3m to complete the balance, you better go
back to your village or better still collect his
fertilizer to start farming, or worse still, apply for
a traffic warden job like he has proposed. These
are the economic realities facing the South
Easterner however ugly it presents itself.
Meanwhile, while Jonathan is draining your
capital, he has not made any attempt whatsoever
to cut down on the largess going on in
Government, evidenced by his unwillingness to
fight corruption. What it means for the Igbo man is that 2015 will
not be business as usual, even though you are
deceived to vote as usual, Igbos should expect
very high duty this year which will make your
goods expensive hence lower your patronage, this
is Jonathan's Greek gift for your 2015 patronage
at the polls.
It is no longer news that 1 US dollar is
exchanging for 210 naira, what it means to an
average Igbo man is that if your 40ft container is
worth $60,000 (9.3m naira) you will need 12.6m
to order the same 40ft container you just bought
last year. At the port, Jonathan will send you
another message through Iweala, and if you don't
have 3.3m to complete the balance, you better go
back to your village or better still collect his
fertilizer to start farming, or worse still, apply for
a traffic warden job like he has proposed. These
are the economic realities facing the South
Easterner however ugly it presents itself.
Meanwhile, while Jonathan is draining your
capital, he has not made any attempt whatsoever
to cut down on the largess going on in
Government, evidenced by his unwillingness to
fight corruption. What it means for the Igbo man is that 2015 will
not be business as usual, even though you are
deceived to vote as usual, Igbos should expect
very high duty this year which will make your
goods expensive hence lower your patronage, this
is Jonathan's Greek gift for your 2015 patronage
at the polls.
It is no longer news that 1 US dollar is
exchanging for 210 naira, what it means to an
average Igbo man is that if your 40ft container is
worth $60,000 (9.3m naira) you will need 12.6m
to order the same 40ft container you just bought
last year. At the port, Jonathan will send you
another message through Iweala, and if you don't
have 3.3m to complete the balance, you better go
back to your village or better still collect his
fertilizer to start farming, or worse still, apply for
a traffic warden job like he has proposed. These
are the economic realities facing the South
Easterner however ugly it presents itself.
Meanwhile, while Jonathan is draining your
capital, he has not made any attempt whatsoever
to cut down on the largess going on in
Government, evidenced by his unwillingness to
fight corruption.

Scholes007:

op i think you lying here jst say what you no master energy deport have working since 2007 and pump price have been as stipulated by the govt even in the far East like Ebonyi and Enugu...where did you even get this?

jpphilips:


Is Enugu Depot working or not?

Scholes007:

what it means is that the govt is fighting to sustain its local economy and currency...not against ndi igbo
At least the importer should consider investing in economy to tap from govt reforms thats why there is development of indigenous industral complexs in south east especially in Abia and anambara states...

jpphilips:


lolzzzzzzz, tell that to the importers crying in Apapa .

Scholes007:
op you really need to come to east and see for yourself... i have once promise some people to post development in master energy industrial city where 7 companies are current been constructed...i will one day spare out my time and do that. As for now the fertilizer and plastic industries are 95% complete, the foods department that will most base on noodles and biscuits are attaining completion,for the steel fabrication and petro-chemical industries work is heavily on going and many other industries that has recently shown their interest also close to the industrial city lays a very vast farmland also owned by master energy conglomerate although not much have started on those farm but i believe it will mostly serve does industries . so pls if you have the money to invest try do it in the country not going to import

Scholes007:
on electricity in south east have you had of afam power station and where it is located...do you know this adminstration paid attention to that... have you heard of the proposed rehab of oji river thermal power station to be powered by coal in Enugu state...also are you aware of the 250MW thermal power station yet to be commissioned in aba so pls east is benefiting from this adminstration prove me wrong if you can.

Scholes007:
you don't really know the economic hob in south east
anyway let me help you
1:commercial hob=onitcha and Aba
2:industrial hob=Aba nnewi and onitcha ...uturu(in Abia state)1 will be included if master energy city is completed.
3:Administrative hob=Enugu, owerri,awka,umuahia and finally Abakaliki

jpphilips:
The South east have been a battle ground for political mischief over the years. Another election is around the corner and the power brokers are at it again, needless to mention the need for the actors and spectators to harmonize political interest.

It is no longer news that the subterfuge of President Jonathan has not only eroded reasoning but have equally failed logic of the average south easterner. Once is a while when the music gets to a crescendo, we pause to relieve our breath.

In many quarters of ignorance, however unimpressed pundits like us felt about Jonathan's presidency, a scan through of his touted achievements is a proof that the south easterners are living in denial.

ROADS:


Funny how Nigerians still bask in the euphoria of development when administrators at State and Federal levels resurface roads, this obligatory stride is magnified to an insulting proportion especially when it becomes a campaign slogan for politicians.

The South Eastern states in focus is made up of Imo, Anambra, Enugu and Ebonyi states, to travel from Imo to Anambra presents the Owerri-Onitsha road as the most plausible federal route option, no doubt, this road is resurfaced today, however,most South easterners are oblivious of the fact that the resurfacing of that road stems its history from OBJ through Yaradua but completed with Jonathan, however encouraging that may sound, I still ask, is there any other federal route apart from that one?
Anambra to Enugu is left with Onitsha to Enugu (in terrible shape by the way) and Enugu to Abakiliki through Enugu - Ph express way another death trap.

Based on the above facts, Jonathan has alienated two states out of four in the South east by virtue of terrible federal roads, the funny part is that the Enugu - Onitsha alternative is a state road which seems to be in a better shape than the federal road, never mind that the so called roads awaiting to be resurfaced by the Jonathan's administration were created by the military, mostly northerners by extension. Till date, Jonathan is yet to create a second federal route that will connect the South eastern states.


TRANSPORTATION:

Two significant events reshaped Jonathan's stewardship in the last 5yrs, upgrading of the existing Akanu Ibiam airport to international status and the repair of the Portharcourt to Enugu rail routes.
Each time I look at the average Igbo man and how this two projects would have changed his life forever, I cannot but pray for the igbo man to wake up from his slumber.

The Akanu Ibiam international airport sure will open the South east to the world, Ethiopian airlines is licensed to operate that route for now, I always wonder where Orji Uzor kalu and Authur Eze two Igbo sons that are stake holders in the aviation sector dissolved to when that license was granted? bearing in mind that Nigeria has no national carrier. I may not know whether or not they have the capacity to go international but the recent Skytrax rating of our "face me I face you" airport calls for serious concern.
After all the hype, noise and billions in resources spent, this Jonathan's Greek gift neither made it to the first 800 in the world neither did it make the 100 place in Africa, while poor Kenya made the 9th position in Africa, is this what the Igbos really deserve?.

President Jonathan's rail project was the biggest slap on the Igbos for those who understand the dynamics of the South east economy. If strategically positioned would have been the game changer for the Igbos in generations to come.
There are two economic hubs in South east Nigeria, Onitsha and Nnewi both in Anambra state. While Nnewi is drawing its blood from its robust manufacturing base, Onitsha is pulling its weight from it robust FOREX and importation strong holds.

Bearing in mind that whatever affects Onitsha easily affects Nnewi owing to their geographic proximity, I will beam my search light on Onitsha.
During the rail projects, I was expecting that President Jonathan being a lover of Igbos like he claimed would have prioritized APAPA to Onitsha rail route.

As I type, this route is non existent, meanwhile, this is the only route that would have been the economic game changer in the South East.
The absence of a rail line on this route is the reason Benin-ore road, Ore-Lagos routes don't last due to the intense, unabated use of heavy duty truck carrying containers on this route, cement distributors like Ibeto, Dangote and Lafarge have equally contributed to her woes.

During a field trip in the south east, a container cleared in APAPA enroute Onitsha will cost 400,000 naira on haulage alone, sundry expenditures could pull between 650k to 700k off the importer depending on the consignment, considering the nature of the road (especially the ore-Lagos route), there is a 50% chance the container will not arrive its destination, Jonathan the false Igbo messiah ran to the already existing PH-Enugu route, a route whose economic relevance stemmed from the days of the British, when coal was ferried from Enugu and exported through Portharcourt to do a quick fix for vain glory.
In 2011, Jonathan made a promise to South easterners that he will do a second Niger bridge (the latest victim of heavy duty haulage from Lagos to the east) 4yrs on, the Igbos are satisfied that the project is still at the pilling stage.

According to them, they said that Jonathan appointed the first Igbo chief of army staff, but immediately I ask, has the NDA and the Direct Short service quota for the SE increased? they hardly wait to give me an answer. Does it mean that a group of supposed intelligent and industrious people barely know where their interest lie?


ELECTRICITY

While I was expecting the SE to demand justice for the way interstate (a friend of the president by the way) muscled away viable competitors who had the capacity to turn around their power woes during the sale of EEDC, it never harped on the South easterners that Jonathan's administration did a great disservice to them. Do they care?

Not until Jonathan proposed a coal power plant for kogi state (Enugu's closest neighbor), a 1,200MW coal power plant in Itobe Kogi state, the project is expected to come alive in 2018, tell me, between Enugu (the coal city state) and Itobe Kogi state, who deserves a coal power plant?

If any Igbo man answers this question, I will have no need to continue this expose.

ECONOMY


Often times we wonder; who is the loser in Jonathan's abysmal handling of the economy? ans: South East.

The PDP strategy:

PDP before now has a way to keep the people happy in suffering, if asked, you will say that Nigeria is a near tax free nation but is it really true?
Jonathan's government knows that Nigeria is an import based economy and there is need to allow the pitiable manufacturing base to grow, so instead of taxing consumer goods at point of consumption, they are taxed at point of entry.

This strategy is the reason why most Igbo businesses have failed in recent times. Ask yourself, how many developing countries in the world do you pay duty higher than the cost of purchase especially cars? or does duty not qualify as a form of taxation?

In Jonathan's government, economic maneuvers with grave consequences are not meant to be mentioned:
Increase in pump price is called Subsidy removal.
Increase in taxation is called FIRS receipt etc, with such gimmicks the average Igbo man hardly realizes that Jonathan is his biggest economic

Nightmare.

Pay attention to these excerpt in the 2015 budget:






In an economy with high unemployment rate here is what Iweala is proposing for 2015 and they are keeping it quiet now because of elections.



What it means for the Igbo man is that 2015 will not be business as usual, even though you are deceived to vote as usual, Igbos should expect very high duty this year which will make your goods expensive hence lower your patronage, this is Jonathan's Greek gift for your 2015 patronage at the polls.

It is no longer news that 1 US dollar is exchanging for 210 naira, what it means to an average Igbo man is that if your 40ft container is worth $60,000 (9.3m naira) you will need 12.6m to order the same 40ft container you just bought last year. At the port, Jonathan will send you another message through Iweala, and if you don't have 3.3m to complete the balance, you better go back to your village or better still collect his fertilizer to start farming, or worse still, apply for a traffic warden job like he has proposed. These are the economic realities facing the South Easterner however ugly it presents itself.
Meanwhile, while Jonathan is draining your capital, he has not made any attempt whatsoever to cut down on the largess going on in Government, evidenced by his unwillingness to fight corruption.
Under Goodluck, Anambra state lost it's bid to being an oil producing state.



ENERGY:

Since 2004, no South Easterner can boast of buying any petroleum product at the government approved rate always, while the Govt approved rate is 97naira, south easterners buy between 110-115 naira, have you guys bothered to ask why? Ans; Enugu Depot is not working.

This is how it works, Petrol used in Enugu, Ebonyi, and Anambra come from either Portharcourt or Warri, if the right thing is done, it is supposed to be coming from the Enugu depot, the increased transport fare (tanker hire) will be added to the products so it hardly sells for the Govt approved rate.

Now you know, for a pretty long time, you guys have suffered this and Govt after Govt including Jonathan your beloved didn't care as much as OBJ never cared, do you know what the problem is ?

There is a pipeline section at Okigwe, it is not like the whole pipeline have to be replaced but just the Okigwe section, that is the Genesis of your suffering. I am yet to understand the zombie follower ship Jonathan has in the South East, South- South his father land has already dropped him like a hot object (Rivers and Bayelsa), what is the SE waiting for?

According to Patrick Obahiagbon " there is no reason for Nigerians to pontificate the faucet origo of a presidential aspirant" whatever that means .

There is an Igbo adage that says that the Local dog follows a man with running stomach with the hope that if he doesn't vomit, he will defecate, so far, Jonathan as the man with the running stomach has refused to defecate nor Vomit, it is mind bugling why the South easterners are following him about.

jpphilips:


You have an acute comprehension problem. If I were you, I will read the post again.

jpphilips:


Afam in the South East? which bush are you reporting from?
Glad you said Jonathan is still "proposing" Oji river thermal plant, well, OBJ equally proposed same, neither of them have started anything yet. when next you see a post read and digest before making comments.

jpphilips:


I am yet to understand how this is related to the thread.

Scholes007:

what it means is that the govt is fighting to sustain its local economy and currency...not against ndi igbo
At least the importer should consider investing in economy to tap from govt reforms thats why there is development of indigenous industral complexs in south east especially in Abia and anambara states...

Scholes007:
op you really need to come to east and see for yourself... i have once promise some people to post development in master energy industrial city where 7 companies are current been constructed...i will one day spare out my time and do that. As for now the fertilizer and plastic industries are 95% complete, the foods department that will most base on noodles and biscuits are attaining completion,for the steel fabrication and petro-chemical industries work is heavily on going and many other industries that has recently shown their interest also close to the industrial city lays a very vast farmland also owned by master energy conglomerate although not much have started on those farm but i believe it will mostly serve does industries . so pls if you have the money to invest try do it in the country not going to import

Scholes007:

No because of pipeline vandalism

jpphilips:


Does that "fighting" have a grave consequence for Igbo importers, yes or no?

Scholes007:

Lolzzzz they have to bear it because that's the sad part of it

jpphilips:


What do you think this thread is about? Number of biscuit businesses in the south east?

jpphilips:


So why have you been foaming from the mouth? Didn't you read the same thing From the article?

CRAP!

GEJ may not have done much, principally because anti-Igbo bigots like you refused that any tangible federal project should be in the SE.

Since you want to convince us GEJ isn't better than the long list of northerners that simply ignored the zone as if it were not part of Nigeria, You should have listed Buhari's projects or at least "promises" to do any in the SE when he is voted in.

You want Buhari to make you promises? at your age you are defining your political future with promises from politicians? , were you suffering from cancer of the scrotum when all opposition parties merged and became stake holders in the new APC, why was your APGA left out despite GOV okorocha's efforts? You really want to reap from where you did not sow, lol.

GEJ did not promise much, but at least he kept his main promise to make Enugu airport international in order to enable people from the zone have intl. airport like others. Did your long list of northern leaders even consider it fair to let the zone have one Intl. airport? You only remember Igbo is part of Nigeria during elections. Apart from GEJ, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, Ibrahim Babangida and Late Umaru Yar'Adua, every other so called Nigerian President had a venomous anti-Igbo sentiment and did all they could to disadvantage the Igbo nation, to Nigeria's peril and stunted development.

APC itself takes immense pride in marginalizing the SE zone in their distribution of offices and there is every evidence they intend to run the federal government with the same anti-Igbo agenda. Which is fine, but don't expect those you hate so much to help you grab power. Not to mention the religious bigotry promoted by the islamist APC.

Please don't add insult to injury by having the gut to even compare yourselves with GEJ.

Please spare us your shameless crap!

You want Buhari to make you promises? at your age you are defining your political future with promises from politicians? , were you suffering from cancer of the scrotum when all opposition parties merged and became stake holders in the new APC, why was your APGA left out despite GOV okorocha's efforts? You really want to reap from where you did not sow, lol.