₦airaland Forum

When the federal government increased the Value Added Tax (VAT) from 5% to 7.5%, it raised lots of eyebrows. February 1st was stipulated as a day to start implementation of the new VAT rates but MTN didn’t start till the 5th. Who do you think will pay for the first 4days? Yes MTN

Due to the sudden nature of the increment, MTN decided to bear the cost of the first 4 days to allow it’s esteem customers adjust to the new rates. We should also note that the new VAT rates was solely the decision of the government, MTN and other telecommunications companies had no other choice but to comply.

Oladipupo22:
So I just figured that I didn’t get charged any VAT until February 5th - I don’t know if I’m alone on this one here.

MTN users only though, I don’t use another network so I don’t know.

I think MTN paid VAT for us for this period. Lol

One thing most people fail to realize is that MTN or other brands don’t keep taxes they themselves, they remit them to the government. If there’s anyone who should be questioned here, it’s the government not MTN or others.

Finally, MTN have been vindicated in all of these. The CBN Governor and banks were just looking for a scape goat. The CBN and banks have a lot of questions to answer from Nigerians because things like this shouldn’t be happening.

sweetonugbu:
Ndi ara

First paragraph, the banks did not ask MTN to start charging customers. Second paragraph, MTN is the only telco that are yet to implement the end user Billing.

Both paragraphs are contradicting. If MTN are yet to implement the end user billing, how will they do that without charging?? Lmaoooo very funny

oshozondii:
Commercial banks on Monday denied instructing MTN to deduct charges for USSD.

In an advertorial, the lenders, acting under the aegis of Body of Bank CEOs said its attention had been drawn to a text message sent by the telco concerning the issue.

“Our attention has been drawn to SMS sent on Saturday 19th October by MTN Nigeria Communications PLC to customers of banks in Nigeria in respect of the above.

The message states that the banks requested MTN to start charging customers for USSD transactions directly. It also ask customers to contact their banks for more information. We wish to state as follows:

“That the banks did not ask MTN to start charging customers as contained in the text message. The decision on whether and what amount to charge a customer for accessing USSD is entirely that of the telco in the same way a customer is billed for calls SMS and data.

“MTN is the only telco that is yet to implement end-user billing which is the standard practice for customer initiated transactions. This is despite the fact that the banks working with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) have engaged MTN over a period of more than one year to try and bring down the cost of USSD to aid financial inclusion.

“That the banks are determined to pursue the Nigerian National Financial Inclusion Strategy of the Federal Government of Nigeria and we continue to advocate that telcos identify whole-heartedly with this laudable initiative and implement transparent and low pricing model in the USSD access code.

“We wish to reitrate that financial transaction charges are regulated by the CBN as stipulated in the Banks Tariff and that the charges for financial transactions carried out with banks remain unchanged.”

https://www.google.com/amp/s/thenationonlineng.net/banks-we-didnt-ask-mtn-to-charge-for-ussd/amp/

MTN won’t be the first network to do this. They are just following the footsteps of other networks, the banks are the guilty party here.

Virginnn:
Just received this sms from mtn.
Yello, as requested by your bank, from Oct 21, we will start charging you directly for USSD access to banking services. Please contact your bank for more info.
Sender:
MTNN.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
These are indeed tough times for Nigerians. Considering the alarming rate at which prices of common goods are going up, government and multi-nationals are, in addition to the huge profits they generate, squeezing the juice out of the meagre income generated by the vulnerable citizens.

Arrant nonsense.

TonyeBarcanista:
Since the commencement of the 2019 electioneering season, I have deliberately refrained myself from making any political prophecy or projections even when I am clearly aligned with a political party, the Peoples Democratic Party and in full support of all her candidates at all levels across the 36 states of the federation and FCT.

However, I can't refrain myself from addressing a biased and misguided piece from a certain self acclaimed political scientist and public commentator, which he titled "Reasons Why Agbaje Would Lose The Lagos Governorship Election Again".

One fact about Lagos 2019 is that unlike the previous elections since 2011, the incumbent ruling party in the state and their supporters have been in serious fear mode; fear of losing their acclaimed empire, fear of losing the priced Gubernatorial contest to no other than Mr. Jimi Agbaje, the candidate of Peoples Democratic Party. Why? See the reasons;

1. Lagosians Are Fed Up With Tinubu Political Empire:
Being a longtime admirer of Asiwaju Tinubu, I can sense from distance the fear of his footsoldiers ahead of 2019 poll. This is the main reason their Governorship candidate Jide Sanwoolu has been bugging every nook and crannies of the state with his posters and billboards. In all their campaign billboard and posters, NOT one of them talk about their achievement in the last 20 years. Sanwoolu is even ashamed to campaign with the stewardship of incumbent Akinwunmi Ambode, simply because if he says Ambo performed, then the question will be why was he rejected? The question will be if Ambode had performed, why was he not considered worthy enough for a second term reelection ticket? Also, Sanwoolu cannot openly say Ambode underperformed because that in itself is an indictment on their party and vindication of the position of Mr Agbaje. However, Lagosians are quite informed that Sanwoolu is the furtherance of Bola's empire and are ready to put a stop come 2019.

2. Failure of President Muhammadu Buhari

In Nigeria's political environment the failure of the party at the centre is usually rubbed on her candidates at lower level. That Buhari administration is a failed one is no longer news, it is also an open secret that the failure of Buhari will affect his party's candidates especially in the southern part of Nigeria, where Lagos is a unit.

3. The Consistency Of Agbaje's Message:

Take it or leave it, the message of freedom as preached by Agbaje has sank deep into the nooks and crannies of Lagos state. In 2015, Agbaje's message became so loud that he narrowly lost to Ambo by small margin in 2015 despite the supposed sterling performance of then Governor Raji Fashola and the anti-PDP propaganda that swept Lagos. In fact, Jimi polled the highest vote garnered by any opposition party since 1999 and the PDP broke several jinx by winning seats in both the federal house of representative and Lagos state house of Assembly. I'm not trying to prophesy but a landslide victory in for Jimi Agbaje should not surprised anyone.

4. Involvement of "Non-Indigenes":

One advantage Jimi enjoy over his loquacious opponent is that he enjoys additional support of PVC carrying non indigenes of Lagos state due to his nationalist approach and programs unlike the ethnic-based political message of the other man. Only a political neophyte will playdown the influence of this segment in the politics of Lagos.

5. Jimi Is Busiest Of All Candidates:
May I educate the so-called political scientist that Mr Jimi Agbaje has been the busiest of all candidates running for the office. He has been engaged with marathon town hall events, grassroots outreach and has been very visible at conventions and other events. I think the writer of that piece is out if touch with present realities and happenings in Lagos.

6. Jimi Has Clear Policies:
Aside bullying Lagosians with posters and billboards, Sanwoolu has been the most quiet of all candidates. His policies are neither here nor there that they can't be critiqued because they lack substance. This cannot be said of Mr Jimi Agbaje. Lagosians know what he stands for. His posters and billboards convey message to the average Lagosian, a message that majority have already signed up for.

Those who are on ground in Lagos will tell you that the most uncomfortable candidate at the moment is Mr Sanwoolu. However, I will not make any political prophecy but having considered these facts and indices on ground, I will not be surprised when Jimi Agbaje of PDP is declared winner of Lagos state gubernatorial contest in March.



May God Bless Us All And Bless Nigeria

Written by TonyeBarcanista from Lagos.

For so many years now, Abia state has been the least developed state among the south easterner states. It's time to change all of that. Ndi Abia can't continue experiencing terrible leadership. I have this strong conviction that Alex Otti will transform Abia and put the state where it rightfully belongs.

It gives me great pleasure to address you today. As you all know, the election to choose a new governor for our great state is slated for March 2nd 2018. It is an existentialist election for many reasons.

Since the return of democracy in our country in 1999, the PDP has been in power in our state and has established a dynasty of corrupt, incompetent, selfish and occultic ruling class. This group has held our state hostage and pillaged her resources. Today, everyone agrees that Abia is the worst state in the South/East geopolitical zone.

The story the government of Abia state tell, especially on paid TV commercials, is that Abia State is working and all things in Abia are bright and beautiful. In numerous TV commercials, the impression is created that the government is working, that roads are being constructed and that new markets are being built; that schools are being rehabilitated, that workers' salaries are being paid and that pensioners are being paid. But that is not the truth.

The reality is that Abia is in trouble. Salaries are not being paid regularly to workers who toil under the sun and in the rain, to make the state work. Pensioners are called, “dead wood”. The government makes no plans for the teeming youths, so many have taken to Yahoo Yahoo, Kidnapping and other forms of criminality

Between 1999 and 2018, is a period of 19 years. In that period, Abia State government has earned close to N2trillion. The question I want to ask is, what did the governments of the PDP in Abia state do with all that money?

Recently, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, arrested Senator T. A Orji and asked him to account for N27billion; monies which he allegedly stole. As you also know, Chief T.A. Orji's godfather, his predecessor in office, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu is also answering the question of what he did with the monies belonging to Abia State.


Shockingly, what happened under Chief Orji Uzo Kalu and Chief T.A. Orji is child's play compared to what is happening now in the government of their godson, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu. As they say in Abia, it is from grandfather to father and to son. According to their plan, Senator T.A Orji’s son, Chinedum Orji, alias Ikuku is standing by to succeed Ikpeazu in 2023.

The PDP government in Abia state has created a dynasty of corruption, poor governance, looting and made the governance of Abia State a family business.

We cannot continue to allow evil to thrive. Twenty years is enough time for a system to change. For 20 years, PDP has ruled Abia State and for 20 years they have failed woefully. Enough is Enough!

My brothers and sisters, we all occupy important positions in our various families, villages and communities. We all have a role to play. We are moulders of opinion, we are influencers. We must show the light for our people to be free. I implore all of you, even though you do not live in Nigeria; get involved.

Call your people in the family, call your people in the villages, call your people in the communities, Tell them to forget the propaganda of the government. Tell them to forget the handouts: the bags of rice, the bags of salt and the chicken change. Tell them to vote for APGA and Alex Otti to create a new Abia state.

When our party APGA takes over power and I assume office as the Executive Governor of Abia State, I will immediately ensure a paradigm shift in the way things are done. I have set out a clear programme of action to achieve the following objectives:

• Make the payment of salaries a first line item in the budget
• Make Abia state safe and secure
• Create a new future for the youths
• Transform Aba into the Dubai of Africa
• Launch a revolution for SMEs and large scale industries
• Create export free zone to stimulate industry and commerce
• Guarantee free and compulsory education up to secondary school
• Promote sports and culture as a vehicle to creating jobs and recreations for the youths
• Establish and run an accountable and transparent government you can trust.
• Establish the Abia Safety Net, a social welfare scheme designed to cater for the aged, widows and the poor.

I will build a new Abia State which you will be proud to call home. The fact is that where ever you go – Europe, America, Asia etc, Abia state will still be your home, the land of your birth. Support us to rescue our dearly beloved state; for our sake, for the sake of our children and for posterity.

Thank you and May God bless you all


Chief (Dr) Alex Otti OFR
Ugwu Abia[/quote]

It's quite unfortunate that they lost their jobs, no one will like such fate to befall him or her. But with some people saying the sacking was politicized is terrible because we don't really what went and down and like I said in a previous post, such insinuation are unfounded and shouldn't hold waters. Personally, I'm hoping those who lost their jobs get compensated one way or the other.

chicwoman:
In March 2018, there was a review of the Cleaner Lagos implementation and one of the changes was that the Community Sanitation Worker program would be removed from private sector management and returned to the Ministry of Environment for supervision.
The company, Standard Street Manpower Limited has commenced a handover of the CSWs currently at 7000 in their employ to the Ministry who will supervise and monitor them. This handover has left the 300 supervisors redundant and the contractor has let them go in light with best employment practice including an additional month’s remuneration.

Why must we politicize everything in this country? If people were disengaged from their contracts, why are we not asking why they were disengaged? Must we always conclude that there's political sentiment in everything Let's get to the root of why these workers were disengaged and stop putting fake suggestions all over the place. This article is watery and the claims of sacking workers because of election gains is entirely watery.

nurez305:
Not less than 300 employees by Cleaner Lagos Initiave, an initiative of Visionscape who have a partnership with the Lagos State Government to keep the Lagos environment clean.

The affected workers are Sanitation Supervisors whose responsibility is to supervise Community Sanitation Workers that take care of the cleanliness of Lagos streets. Also they follow and monitor the activities of trucks that pick garbage from residents, engaged in blackspot evacuation and fly tipping. They were directly sacked by Standard Streey Manpower Limited, a contractor under Visionscape.

According to one of the sacked workers, “a lot of us resigned from previous jobs because we believe this job will be more career-based and futuristic. This sack from what we gathered has political undertone. 2019 election is fast approaching and the politicians who were contractors under the PSP arrangement and were doing a shabby job in cleaning Lagos are not happy that they lost their contracts. The Lagos State Government is therefore being blackmailed to give the contracts back so as to get their support in the upcoming election”

The reason given for this mass sack was not that the workers were not carrying out their jobs effectively, but that the Community Sanitation Workers are now to be under the Lagos State Ministry of Environment. The Ministry, therefore, ordered for the sack of the supervisors.

Below is a copy of the sack letter:

http://www.naijaviews.com/cleaner-lagos-initiative-sack-over-three-hundred-employees/

Am I really surprised? No, I don't think so. Some groups and individuals are always hell bent on sabotaging a real system and initiative for whatever reason they have. It's very sad and disheartening

tybaba8:
A splinter group among the PSP operators has rejected the resolutions reached between Visionscape and majority of their counterparts.

The group, Waste Managers Association of Nigeria (WMAN) said to consist of only 30 among the more than 300 operators in Lagos has also rejected the N2.5 billion loan offered by the Lagos State Government for the PSP participants to scale up their operations.


It was however learnt that 150 PSP operators who are now known as Waste Collection Operators are already working with Visionscape while many others have indicated interest to sign the agreement reached by the stakeholders.

After several meetings of stakeholders in the waste management sector moderated by the Lagos State government, the parties agreed that Visionscape would yield the collection of waste in residential areas to the WCOs. Part of the agreement is that Visionscape would focus on developing the infrastructure needed to facilitate an effective integrated waste management system.

The CEO of Visionscape Sanitation Solutions, Mr. John Irvine, speaking on the development had noted that the new terms give the environmental utility company "the opportunity to focus on, and construct, infrastructure that is vital to the success of any waste management reform."

A representative of the PSPs Hafis Kasumu had also said: “We have decided to support the government in the initiative to get rid of the waste. And also, to partner with Visionscape. "

But the splinter group of waste collectors in a statement signed by one Alhaji Ola Egbeyemi, insisted that "there is no such thing as settlement . "

"They are insisting that we keep to commercial waste collection while Visionscape solely carries on with domestic waste collection and disposal. So, what is the settlement there? That has remained the bone of contention between us and we are telling them that it cannot work out as it will amount to taking away 80 percent of our jobs and if that happens, we will not only run out of business, all of our employees, running into about 25, 000 direct and indirect jobs will be thrown into the unemployment market," says Egbeyemi.

The members of the Egbeyemi group maintain that they are not satisfied with the one-year- contract offered to them by Visionscape as they fear that the company will dump them after its expiration.

They therefore want the government and Visionscape to yield to their own terms.

This is a welcome development, with this partnership a Cleaner Lagos will be a reality..

yeankhar49:
The court-ordered negotiation between Visionscape Sanitation Solutions and private sector participant (PSP) operators has ended as both parties shake hands and agree on terms of operations. The waste wars which resulted from disagreements over the Cleaner Lagos Initiative (CLI) saw PSP operators discontinuing residential waste collection in Lagos State. This led to gaps in service delivery making a mutually beneficial resolution imperative.
This resolution comes after months of negotiations, and barely a week after the PSP operators opted to partner with Visionscape Sanitation Solutions to clear up the backlog of waste in the State.
 
Speaking with the media after the exercise on Thursday, a representative from a contributing waste collection operator, Mr. Hafis Kasumu said: “We have decided to support the government in the initiative to get rid of the waste. And also, to partner with Visionscape. So, it is a partnership and we are doing it together.”
The resolution will see the PSP operators, now referred to as waste collection operators (WCO), continue residential waste collection, while Visionscape Sanitation Solution deepens its work to develop the infrastructure needed to facilitate an effective integrated waste management system. One of these is the critical construction of engineered landfills across the state to prevent environmental disasters like the recent Olusosun dumpsite fire.



Also highlighted in the new agreement is that Visionscape will serve as the central processing hub of municipal solid waste within Lagos State. The company will engage PSPs on long-term service arrangements and will pay them for their service.
carry out any intervention required to fill service gaps in public areas.
This new direction will ensure that all arms of the CLI is able to deliver optimal results that will raise Lagos State’s waste management process to globally acceptable standards.
With countries like Rwanda already exploring e-waste management facility and commercial composting, it is essential that the State accelerates the development of its waste management infrastructure, which Visionscape has concession of. The company has reaffirmed its commitment to leading the concerted effort towards an environmentally sustainable Lagos State.
This partnership is expected to start yielding visible results over the next few weeks.


Lalasticlala mynd44

This is a welcome development, with this partnership a Cleaner Lagos will be a reality.

yeankhar49:
The court-ordered negotiation between Visionscape Sanitation Solutions and private sector participant (PSP) operators has ended as both parties shake hands and agree on terms of operations. The waste wars which resulted from disagreements over the Cleaner Lagos Initiative (CLI) saw PSP operators discontinuing residential waste collection in Lagos State. This led to gaps in service delivery making a mutually beneficial resolution imperative.
This resolution comes after months of negotiations, and barely a week after the PSP operators opted to partner with Visionscape Sanitation Solutions to clear up the backlog of waste in the State.
 
Speaking with the media after the exercise on Thursday, a representative from a contributing waste collection operator, Mr. Hafis Kasumu said: “We have decided to support the government in the initiative to get rid of the waste. And also, to partner with Visionscape. So, it is a partnership and we are doing it together.”
The resolution will see the PSP operators, now referred to as waste collection operators (WCO), continue residential waste collection, while Visionscape Sanitation Solution deepens its work to develop the infrastructure needed to facilitate an effective integrated waste management system. One of these is the critical construction of engineered landfills across the state to prevent environmental disasters like the recent Olusosun dumpsite fire.



Also highlighted in the new agreement is that Visionscape will serve as the central processing hub of municipal solid waste within Lagos State. The company will engage PSPs on long-term service arrangements and will pay them for their service.
carry out any intervention required to fill service gaps in public areas.
This new direction will ensure that all arms of the CLI is able to deliver optimal results that will raise Lagos State’s waste management process to globally acceptable standards.
With countries like Rwanda already exploring e-waste management facility and commercial composting, it is essential that the State accelerates the development of its waste management infrastructure, which Visionscape has concession of. The company has reaffirmed its commitment to leading the concerted effort towards an environmentally sustainable Lagos State.
This partnership is expected to start yielding visible results over the next few weeks.


Lalasticlala mynd44

What then happens to Visionscape... Will they be going back to Dubai?

chicwoman:
Visionscape Sanitation Solutions, the concessionaire for residential waste management in Lagos state is mandated to provide infrastructure such as a Sanitary Engineered Landfill, Transfer Loading Stations, and Maintenance Depots. The PSP Operators are tasked with waste collection from both residential and commercial districts in Lagos state; both parties work hand in hand to ensure a clean, pollution-free Lagos which is the vision of His Excellency, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.

A Joint Task force which comprises of the Office of Public Works and the Ministry of Environment is on ground to address drainage challenges as the rainy season approaches to prevent flooding incidences. The Ministry of Environment has embarked on community engagement efforts to educate residents in Lagos state about the proper waste management practices such as waste bagging and to desist from patronizing illegal cart pushers in the state.

We urge all residents in Lagos state to duly cooperate with the government as infrastructural gaps in waste management in the state is addressed.

I must agree with you tbvh. Went to Maryland earlier today and I intentionally took these shots as if I knew something like this would come up lool. I must commend them but like you also pointed out, some places are still in a mess and needs urgent attention, but generally there's progress.

yeankhar49:
I think this Cleaner Lagos is finally taking shape, honestly..i have to admit. I go to places and see how cleaner and better they have become, though i must admit some parts still need urgent attention, but i think with time, every area will be touched. I took some of these pictures today, if you have pictures of clean areas too, please share. If we call the government out when they are not working, we should praise them too when we see laudable efforts.

see MM road roundabout ooo

Clean Streets of Lagos

I think this Cleaner Lagos is finally taking shape, honestly..i have to admit. I go to places and see how cleaner and better they have become, though i must admit some parts still need urgent attention, but i think with time, every area will be touched. I took some of these pictures today, if you have pictures of clean areas too, please share. If we call the government out when they are not working, we should praise them too when we see laudable efforts.

Some people just don't want to see or hear about Visionscape, I wonder why really

beehazel1:
Lmao this is so typical of Nigerians. Tueeeh. What's the need to of destroying sometning cause you don't want it to be appluadable. Nawa o. Make these Visionscape guys no give up sha, na my own be that.

Bro, we can't deny that some parts of Lagos are still dirty, no one can deny that. But the truth is, Lagos is a very big and busy commercial state with lots of population and activities. Cleaning up Lagos is not something that can be achieved in a twinkle of an eye. It will take lots of effort and time. I think we should give this guys time to do their thing, we can now judge them afterwards.

maeshal:
Forget this cleaner lagos initiative, i have given up them. I told them about a month ago about the waste at sunrise bus stop along oshodi apapa expressway and till now nothing has been done. The entire stretch of that road is a disaster and yet these guys keep sweeping places that require little or no attention, let them keep deceiving themselves

I think everyone sees them but they want them to do everything at once which is almost impossible. I think it will take time and all but we need to support them.

beehazel1:
If only everyone would do this, I'm sure more people will begin to see that they are working. I see them on my way to work everyday and I don't bother cause I had the feeling it was just on the Island alone. My perception has changed though.

Took this picture of them few days ago when I saw them at Ikoyi. I know some places are still dirty but let's remember Rome was not built in a day.

yeankhar49:
just passed through this place now.....this is Surulere, these guys are working

E say visio capes LMFAO na Visionscape my guy. But the truth is have been encountering them more frequently these days, They're almost everywhere.

Damorela00:
Wow.... these facts tho.. I didn't even know there is more to this issue that meets the eye.. I've always been an ardent critic of visio capes or so that's handling the waste, now my eye don clear oo... thumbs up guys, I'll try snap some pictures on my way out to see if things are really changing as per waste cleaned up off our streets

These facts are interesting ones really but my question is this, why exactly are people fighting this noble initiative? is it that we don't like good things or laudable projects like this in this part of the world? it's really baffling see certain comments online, people antagonizing this initiative and I begin to wonder, when will we ever get it right in this part of the world??

It's really sad that some people just decided to sabotage this laudable project by the Lagos State government which is for the good of everyone. The Cleaner Lagos initiative has really been a good one and every lagosian must support this great initiative.