Saturday 13 October 2018

*Russian FM Says Independent Ukrainian Church Is US-Backed 'provocation'*

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Friday said the Istanbul-based Ecumenical Patriarchate's decision to recognise the independence of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church was a "provocation" backed by Washington.

He described the move as "provocation by Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, undertaken with direct public support from Washington" during a media interview, according to a transcript of the exchange on the foreign ministry's website.

"Interfering in Church life is forbidden by law in Ukraine, in Russia and, I hope, in any normal state," he said.

The Holy Synod chaired by the Patriarch of Constantinople in Istanbul on Thursday said it had agreed to recognise the independence of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which has historically operated under Moscow's umbrella.

The move was met with fury by the Patriarch of Moscow, who would effectively lose influence over thousands of parishes if they decide to split off and join the new independent church.

*EAC Shippers Push for Access to Kenya's🤔 Revenue Platform*

Pressure is piling on Kenya to open its electronic revenue (Simba) system to East African clearing agents almost five years since it invited customs officers from the region to operate at the port of Mombasa.

Traders from other member States have launched the complaint with the EAC Council of Ministers, accusing the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) of delaying cargo clearance by denying their agents access to its Simba system.

Under Kenyan laws, however, clearing agents can only gain access to the taxman’s e-platform if they are registered by the KRA as domestic operators.

“We have opened our systems in the interest of free trade but our agents don’t get the same treatment in Kenya,” Mr Alex Mujeru, Rwanda Revenue Authority’s deputy Commissioner told journalists in Kigali during a media tour.

“I know this matter is being handled by the ministers even though Rwanda has not specifically demanded reciprocal treatment for its agents in Kenya.”

*ICPC Uncovers Unremitted N9.8bn In Aso Savings*

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), following a petition by an Ad-hoc Committee on the sale of federal government houses, has uncovered N9.8 billion realised from the sale of government properties which was deposited in Aso Savings and Loans Plc. LEADERSHIP Friday gathered exclusively that the funds, which was not remitted to the federal treasury by the financial institution, was rather used without government’s knowledge or approval. It was all discovered that the funds were recovered and corned between 2010 and 2014 from the sale of some government’s properties in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

When ICPC investigators quizzed several officials during investigation, the current managing director of Aso Savings and Loans, revealed that the bank is currently experiencing paucity of funds, therefore it is willing to swap some of its properties located in Abuja and Lagos in exchange for the unremitted funds. Reacting to the story, ICPC spokesperson, Rasheedat Okoduwa stated that the commission is committed to the recovery of the full value of the unremitted N9.8 billion by taking the properties offered in lieu for government, subject to satisfactory valuation by the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing. Upon conclusion of investigation, anyone found in breach of the law will be brought to book accordingly. Meanwhile, in a related development, further investigation of the Ad-hoc committee’s work also uncovered that some persons who were allocated government properties made only part payments.This fact led ICPC to recover the sum of N20, 662,250 from the affected persons in bank drafts which it handed over to the chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee between December 2017 and May 2018.

*Motorist Kills Former Delta Community🕴 Leader, Dudu*

A vehicle on Friday knocked down and killed former first Vice President of Aladja Community Council, Mr. Henry Dudu along the Aladja/DSC Expressway in Udu Local Government Area of Delta State, DAILY POST can report.

The deceased served under Paulson Okobiebi, who was then president of Aladja Community Council.

Details as to the cause of the accident are still sketchy as at press time but it was gathered that the victim bled profusely and died as he was being rushed to the hospital for medical treatment.

It was learnt that after the unfortunate incident, the driver of the vehicle quickly rushed to the Ovwian/Aladja Police station to lodge a complaint, and for fear of being mobbed.

When contacted for confirmation, the Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Muhammad Mustafa said,”I am not aware. Unless I call the DPO to confirm. If I confirm it, I will get back to you.”

*EAC Shippers Push for Access to Kenya's🤔 Revenue Platform*

Pressure is piling on Kenya to open its electronic revenue (Simba) system to East African clearing agents almost five years since it invited customs officers from the region to operate at the port of Mombasa.

Traders from other member States have launched the complaint with the EAC Council of Ministers, accusing the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) of delaying cargo clearance by denying their agents access to its Simba system.

Under Kenyan laws, however, clearing agents can only gain access to the taxman’s e-platform if they are registered by the KRA as domestic operators.

“We have opened our systems in the interest of free trade but our agents don’t get the same treatment in Kenya,” Mr Alex Mujeru, Rwanda Revenue Authority’s deputy Commissioner told journalists in Kigali during a media tour.

“I know this matter is being handled by the ministers even though Rwanda has not specifically demanded reciprocal treatment for its agents in Kenya.”

Friday 12 October 2018

*Motorist Kills Former Delta Community🕴 Leader, Dudu*

A vehicle on Friday knocked down and killed former first Vice President of Aladja Community Council, Mr. Henry Dudu along the Aladja/DSC Expressway in Udu Local Government Area of Delta State, DAILY POST can report.

The deceased served under Paulson Okobiebi, who was then president of Aladja Community Council.

Details as to the cause of the accident are still sketchy as at press time but it was gathered that the victim bled profusely and died as he was being rushed to the hospital for medical treatment.

It was learnt that after the unfortunate incident, the driver of the vehicle quickly rushed to the Ovwian/Aladja Police station to lodge a complaint, and for fear of being mobbed.

When contacted for confirmation, the Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Muhammad Mustafa said,”I am not aware. Unless I call the DPO to confirm. If I confirm it, I will get back to you.”