LIRS Commences Automated Collection Of Consumption Tax From Hotels, Restaurant, Event Centres

 In line with global best practice in the use of technology and automated solutions, the Lagos Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) has introduced recently an Electronic Revenue Assurance (ERA) System for Hotels, Restaurants, Night Clubs and Event Centres in Lagos State.

Chairman of the LIRS, Mr Ayodele Subair, in a statement on Monday said the new initiative is to elicit automatic compliance with the extant Hotel Occupancy and Restaurant Consumption Tax Law of Lagos State as amended.

The law imposes a 5 per cent Consumption Tax on all expenditures made on products and services at the hospitality outlets in line with Section 2 of the Hotel Occupancy and Restaurant Consumption Law of June 2009.

The ERA System ensures financial accountability and efficiency for collecting Agents, accurate deduction and automatic, transparent remittance of consumption tax as well as rewards for consumers.

Speaking on how the newly adapted technology works, Subair stated that the Electronic Revenue Assurance System using the Electronic Fiscal Device (EFD) is a software application/device that issues invoices and receipts to consumers bearing a unique QR code, detailing the items and/or services ordered and an embedded automation of Consumption Tax remittance in real time.

“To protect consumers, payments and receipts generated will be tracked and monitored to verify the authenticity of receipts issued. We hereby implore owners of restaurants, hotels, nightclubs and event centres in Lagos State to embrace and comply with this new initiative not only because of the legal consequences of its violation but also for its mutual socio-economic benefits,” the LIRS boss stated.

He added that LIRS is determined to give back to loyal Consumption Tax payers who request for their receipts generated by collecting Agents with a reward scheme being put in place.

Reacting to the introduction of the ERA Solution to the hospitality industry, Mr. Rasheed, owner of Islanders Hotels & Suites in Lagos, agreed that the device would benefit consumers while providing an easier automated accounting solution for his business.The hotelier said “We have struggled with problems of accountability in our hotel in the past with some staff of questionable character pocketing money that should be coming to the hotel for themselves. Once the ERA is installed in our hotel and with consumers requesting for their receipts through the platform, we will be able to keep an accurate account of dealings in our hotels and restaurants. More so, we will have no need to stretch our capacity in keeping records for the LIRS in order to avoid being shut down by the government for avoiding taxes since the device helps us remit Consumption Taxes automatically to the government as at when due”.

Mercedes-Benz makes best-ever start to a year with more than 193,000 vehicles sold

Daimler AG on Tuesday 6th February, reported January sales of over 190,000 units in the Mercedes-Benz Passenger cars segment, making it the most successful start to a year in the company’s history. With this new sales record which also represents a growth of 8.4%, Mercedes-Benz started the year 2018 as successfully as it concluded the year 2017 and has defended its position as the bestselling premium brand with the most new registrations.
Recalling with unmixed delight, Britta Seeger - Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG responsible for Mercedes-Benz Cars Marketing & Sales Said “With more than 193,000 Mercedes-Benz cars sold in January, we achieved the most successful start to a year in the company’s history. And with the presentation of the new G-Class, we had an emotional start to the new year”. “I am delighted that we are setting standards not only with our unit sales, but also for example with the new smart configurator with real-time 3D car visualization. In this way, we are offering our customers an innovative platform upon which they can configure their future car.”
According to Daimler, demand for the SUVs from Mercedes-Benz was as high as ever at the beginning of the year. With an increase of 9.9%, a new record was set of 71,409 units sold. The GLC, GLC Coupé and G-Class all set new records for unit sales. The new G-Class had its world premiere at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January. Mercedes-Benz has so far delivered a total of five million SUVs to its customers, including two million of the GLE and its predecessor, the M-Class.The new S-Class Saloon achieved a 25.3% sales increase to 8,130 units in January. The  S-Class Saloon was particularly popular in its biggest markets, China and the USA, achieving significant sales growth in both markets. The new S-Class Coupe and Cabriolet models were launched in Europe in January
                          
Last month, Mercedes-Benz delivered 33,063 of the E-Class Saloon and Estate models to our customers. This represents a 10.4% increase in unit sales and is a new record for a January. Mercedes-Benz has already sold more than 500,000 units of the new generation of the
E-Class Saloon and Estate since April 2016.
Reacting to the news, Mr. Mirko Plath - Managing Director/CEO Weststar Associates Limited – Authorised General Distributor of Mercedes-Benz in the Federal Republic of Nigeria’ added that Mercedes-Benz has indeed defended its position as the bestselling premium brand, and with these new deliveries, Mercedes-Benz made its best start to a year of all time, thus continuing seamlessly from its seventh consecutive record-setting year in 2017. “We are proud to represent the Mercedes-Benz brand in Nigeria and have planned for the year 2018, some exciting products as already being announced within past few weeks.”
Coming also from global sales and service unit; Mercedes-Benz reached a new level of interaction with its customers at the end of last year with its intelligent, virtual assistant, “Ask Mercedes”. This free app serves to answer questions on the car’s displays, functions and operation. It uses artificial intelligence and combines a chatbot with augmented-reality functions. Questions can be typed into a smartphone display or asked using speech recognition. In the new E-, S- and the new A-Class, operating controls and displays can be scanned with a smartphone camera. Following the visual recognition of object, an explanation of the relevant function is given in multimedia form via video, text, pictures or link. Ask Mercedes was first launched as a pilot version in English in South Africa, India and Malaysia. A version limited to the augmented-reality functions has already gone online in the USA. Launch is planned for early this year in India, Hong Kong, New Zealand and Australia. A version in German will follow in 2018. The app is already in use in the E- and S-Class, it will be available in the new A-Class and other models will follow. A demonstration is available at the following website: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gI0X_huTorE. 
The app for the Mercedes me Adapter is also very popular. Mercedes-Benz is the first automobile manufacturer to offer customers the possibility to retrofit connectivity features in their cars using this adapter. The Mercedes me Adapter is already available in 22 countries for 24 Mercedes-Benz model series (in some cases going back to 2002), and has already been installed in more than 100,000 vehicles. Since the end of last year, the related app has offered customers new functions such as “Find a parking space” and “Car health monitor,” which displays warning messages from the car in the app. Other popular functions include the route list, the cockpit view with live data from the car, and the filling-station finder showing current fuel prices.
Not only the cars from Mercedes-Benz are well connected, but also the company with its customers and other interested persons. With nearly 100 million followers on all social-media channels, Mercedes-Benz has a broad presence in the social networks. The most important channel is Instagram with more than 300 million interactions in 2017. This means that Mercedes-Benz is by far the brand with the most likes and comments on Instagram and Nigeria isn’t left out in these media segments.

Groups Hail Senate, Senator Tinubu Over Resolution on Ban of Tobacco Sales Around Schools.

 Two  major tobacco control groups, the Nigeria Tobacco Control Research Group (NTCRG) and Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN), have commended the Senate for passing  a resolution seeking total ban of the sale of tobacco products around schools.

The groups also hail Senator Oluremi Tinubu who sponsored the Resolution, saying she has “demonstrated uncommon courage at this point that tobacco addiction is becoming an endemic problem among the youth.”

The Resolution, which was adopted at the floor of the Senate on Tuesday, urged  the Federal Ministries of Health, Education and Information to harmonise efforts at banning the advertisement and sales of tobacco within 100 meters of all schools in Nigeria.

It also requested the Federal Ministry of Health and other relevant enforcement agencies to ensure the “comprehensive prohibition of Tobacco Advertising Promotion and Sponsorship; work with other agencies to ban advertisement and location of Point of Sales (POS) of tobacco products within 100m of all schools; create a framework for the monitoring of the implementation of the ban on single sticks and cigarette packs with less than 20 sticks as detailed in the National Tobacco Control Act, 2015.”

The Coordinator NTCRG, Dr Akindele Adebiyi said: “we particularly applaud the the bold effort of the Senate, Senator Tinubu and other co-sponsors of this resolution. It is a giant step towards protecting our children from the deliberate marketing tactics of the tobacco companies aimed at luring our children to smoking. We want to plead with relevant agencies to put in place necessary mechanisms to ensure that this Resolution is given immediate attention and enforcement”.

The Deputy Executive Director, Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria(ERA/FoEN) Mr. Akinbode Oluwafemi said: “this is a call to action by Senator Remi Tinubu and we expect local governments, state governments and all relevant government agencies to wake up from their slumber and begin full enforcement of the National Tobacco Act and this Resolution”.

 The co-sponsors of the motion along with Senator Tinubu are: Senator Magnus Abe (Rivers South-East), Senator Shehu Sani (Kaduna Central), Senator Olanrewaju Tejuoso (Ogun Central), Senator Binta Masi Garba (Adamawa North), Sentor Aliyu M Wamakko ( Sokoto North).

While presenting the resolution,  Senator Tinubu expressed worries that there is  deliberate ploy by Tobacco Companies to position tobacco products, tobacco adverts and signs within 100m perimeter of schools to stimulate the interest of children and youth in the use of tobacco products.

She cited a recent survey carried out by NTCRG and ERA/FoEN across four (4) geo-political zones. The survey titled: ‘Big Tobacco, Tiny Targets: Tobacco Companies Targeting of School Children in Nigeria’ and supported by the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids (CTFK) was published in October 2017. It  documented how tobacco products are sold at very close proximity to schools.

The Senator in her motion, noted that Tobacco consumption is associated with lung cancer, myocardial infraction, chronic bronchitis, cardiovascular diseases among others. She reminded the Nigeria Senate that marketing tobacco around schools is a clear violation of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC)  and also a violation of the National Tobacco Control Act  2015.

Lekki Toll Review: Massive Compliance Recorded

**...LCC thanks Lagosians for their support,

**…apologizes for traffic congestion on the first day* 

 Following the February 1, 2018 implementation of the toll review by Lekki Concession Company Limited (LCC) at the Admiralty Circle Plaza and the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge Plaza, the management of LCC has expressed satisfaction at the massive compliance by motorists. During a media parley to update the public on developments around the toll review held on Thursday, February 1, the Managing Director of LCC, Mr. Mohammed Mubashiru Hassan informed journalists that the toll review was a socio-economic decision made at the right time to avoid yearly increments. Mr. Hassan said the toll review was mooted a few years ago but had to go through the due process of consultations. "The compliance level is satisfactory. If there is no compliance, by now, you would have noticed dissenting activities.

 We are, however, in a democratic government; there is right of choice for those who are willing to pay and those who don't want to pay. In November 2017, we made an attempt to carry out the review but the Lagos State Governor, His Excellency, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode directed LCC to carry out further consultations with stakeholders in the Eti-Osa/Lekki-Epe corridor which we have since done. We cannot but attribute this high level of compliance and understanding by motorists to the advice and support we received from the media, Eti-Osa/Lekki-Epe Indigenes and Residents, National Union of Road and Transport Workers (NURTW), Traditional Rulers and Youth Organizations as well community development Associations and civil society groups”. Mr. Hassan revealed.**

While engaging the media on alternative routes for motorists who are not 
willing to pay the new tariff, Hassan encouraged motorists to sign up 
for the electronic tags (e-Tag), which provides quick access through 
both toll plazas. He also said e-Tag users are entitled to 10% discount, 
which can increase to as much as 50% discount depending on the frequency 
of passage. He corrected the misconception that the e-Tags were designed 
for the elites of the society, pointing out that a lot of commercial 
buses (popularly called 'Danfo'), corporate and private vehicles use the 
e-tag for easy passage through the toll plazas. Furthermore, owners of 
several vehicles can secure a single e-Tag account for their vehicles so 
as to fund it centrally and monitor the movement of their vehicles 
through the toll plazas. Occasional road users can also register for the 
e-Tag as the funds paid into the account does not expire at any time 
until used. To register for the e-Tag, the motorist is required to 
provide the vehicle license, proof of ownership and any valid identity 
card. He also reiterated that the eTag, once acquired can be used in any 
of the lanes at the plazas.

LCC Managing Director apologized for the traffic congestion experienced 
by motorist at the toll plazas on the first day. It is important to note 
that concerted efforts have been put in place to reduce and checkmate 
possible heavy traffic congestions in future. He further assured the 
public that his organization was poised to continue the development of 
the Lekki axis. "The Ajah flyover has been completed and we have the 
intention of rehabilitating the road up to Eleko Beach so that the 
benefits seen in the Lekki area can be extended further along the axis. 
Possibly, it may spill over to Epe which already has a six-lane road".Lekki Concession Company Limited has managed operations of the the 
Eti-Osa/Lekki-Epe Expressway for the past 10 years despite the yearly 
increase of the cost of operations and the rate of inflation. In 
addition, LCC provides various other services to road users free of 
charge, especially as it relates to their convenience such as the 24/7 
free vehicle breakdown and recovery services by the Company's Route and 
Incident Management team; LCC dedicated Police team to ensure safety and 
security of road users; the Toll free Customer Service helpline and 
other services. Over 100,000 road users have benefited from the free 
service of the Route and Incident Management team since inception.

Lagos 2019: Obasa at War With Bayo Osinowo

If information emanating from the inner caucus of the Lagos state house of assembly is anything to go by, then it can be concluded that the speaker, Hon Mudashiru Obasa and influential Hon. Bayo Osinowo are poised for a political war. 

A reliable source said things have fallen apart between the two political gladiators and centre can no longer hold. Because of this, Hon Osinowo popularly known as Pepper has confided to his close associates to truncate the return of Obasa to the house of assembly in 2018.

The crack in the House has become so glaring that it is now being discussed in hush tones within the Assembly complex in Alausa and even the entire Lagos political landscape. As it was gathered, trouble began to brew when Osinowo was alleged to have convened several major assembly meetings at his residence without recourse to the speaker, a matter said to have undermined the speaker’s office.

At one of the meetings, the speaker was accused of spending the state resources in Ogun via a retreat for the assembly members that was taken to Abeokuta on two occasions, hence a protest allegedly promoted by Osinowo against the speaker by the stakeholders in tourism industry.

Until recently, the duo are said to have enjoyed good relationship as it has always been rumoured that Osinowo was instrumental to Obasa’s emergence as the speaker, a claim Pepper often taunts.

It was exclusively gathered that the current supremacy war has divided the house into two political camps namely Aregbe, Yayi/Pepper camp and Obasa for Jagaban camp. The two camps however are said to be of the same political parentage.

In view of the above it is now a common knowledge that major actors in all the scheming are now a regular face at the residence of the political godfather in Ikoyi where they continue to run each other down for relevance.

For instance, Obasa allegedly told his associates that as long as he has the support of Asiwaju Tinubu, Osinowo is of no consequence, while on the other hand, Osinowo claimed to have singlehandedly picked Obasa for the post because he’s the ear and eye of Jagaban in the assembly. 

And with election year strolling in, Obasa’s opponents have started waging a media war aimed at portraying him as ‘’incompetent’’.

“The strategy is simple; go to town with talks that posture him as inefficient and lacking control of the house, tales that overtime would shred is perceived good image,” a source stated.

The aim is meant to put his return as a lawmaker in jeopardy with the party and electorates and also provides a huge stumbling block for his re emergence as Speaker, even if he made it back.

Meanwhile, the media aide of the honourable speaker was contacted to react to the story and he said there is no iota of truth in the alleged fight that the speaker and Osinowo are still as close as ever and that there is nothing absolutely that can separate them.

Pepper’s uncommon closeness to Asiwaju was said to have enabled him to pull several particular stunts, and others. He retains the trust of the decision maker of Lagos politics against all odds. In the house of Assembly, he is regarded as “hand of Tinubu” and accorded great respect.

Operating on the principle “the fear of Pepper is the beginning of wisdom”, many politicians and businessmen now court on issues that require a favourable response from Asiwaju Bola Tinubu – and the State House of Assembly.

An insider disclosed Pepper is gradually assuming the kind of political stature that made many fear Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola – before he became governor of Osun state.

A lot of political ambition have been caged or shot down on his recommendations. “Pepper is one man many do not want to get on his wrong side at present” a source stated.

Checks revealed Pepper with his initial support base in Kosofe Lagos started his quiet rise to “reckoning” empowered by Asiwaju to contain the “formidable” influence and political structure of Alhaji Busura Alebioshu. Moreover, Osinowo has been quoted severally boasting that without him, Asiwaju Tinubu can’t sleep.

Lekki Toll Review: No Increase in Transport Fare —NURTW

Following the announcement of the toll review at the Admiralty Circle Plaza and the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge Plaza by the Lekki Concession
Company, LCC, the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, Jakande, Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State has assured
residents and commuters on the Eti-Osa/Lekki-Epe Expressway that there will be no fare increase as a result of the toll review which takes effect
on Thursday, February 1, 2018.

According to the Chairman, National Union of Road Transport Workers,
NURTW, Jakande, Eti-Osa, Alhaji Taofeek Oluwa, it was encouraging that LCC carried the Union along as one of the critical stakeholders consulted
during the engagement process for the toll review which resulted in the
minimal increase in tariff charged branded commercial buses. From February 1, branded commercial buses popularly called 'Danfo' which previously paid N80.00 would be payingN90.00 (Ninety Naira) for e-Tag payments and N100.00 (One Hundred Naira) for cash payments.Speaking further, Alhaji Oluwa said, "As long as LCC honours its
agreement of our mutual understanding at the stakeholders' meeting, we
can confidently support LCC by assuring that commuters will not suffer
any increase in the fare paid to board branded commercial buses coming into or going out of Eti-Osa/Lekki-Epe Expressway. The NURTW is happy to endorse the toll fare review", Alhaji Oluwa noted.

This statement was corroborated by another NURTW Jakande Eti-Osa
official, Alhaji Quadri Adesokan, who stated that LCC has promised to
improve the standards of the roads for the safety of passengers. "We have
heard the concerns of the LCC and have agreed to support them because they have promised us to maintain the roads. A large number of our buses are using the e-tag which affords us unhindered entry and return from Lekki-Epe Expressway".

Keeping in line with its corporate objectives of delivering real utility to road users on the Eti-Osa/Lekki-Epe Expressway and the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge, LCC had managed operations of the roads for the past 10 years despite the yearly increase of the cost of operations and other relevant
expenses. In addition, LCC provides various other services to road users,
especially as it relates to their convenience such as the 24/7 free
vehicle breakdown and recovery services by the Company's Route and
Incident Management team; the LCC dedicated Police team; the Toll free Customer Service helpline and other services. Over 100,000 road users have benefited from the free service of the Route and Incident Management team since inception, while LCC dedicated police team has ensured improved security along the expressway.

Awele Elumelu appointed Gavi Champion for Immunisation in Africa

Prominent African business and healthcare sector leader Dr Awele Elumelu welcomed her appointment as a Gavi Champion for Immunisation in Africa.

"Childhood immunisation is a critical intervention and I am honoured to play a role in this important programme, targeting almost 10 million African children, who are not fully immunised,” said Dr Elumelu during the announcement at the Gavi-hosted breakfast meeting at WEF-Davos 2018.

HEALTH AND BUSINESS SECTOR EXPERTISE

Gavi CEO Dr Seth Berkley emphasised the significance of Dr Elumelu’s appointment, which comes at a critical time for the Vaccine Alliance – the 2018 Mid-Term Review of progress towards realising its 2016-2020 mission.

“We are delighted that Dr Elumelu will bring her knowledge and expertise from health and business sectors towards championing the cause of immunisation. Her engagement will be particularly important this year, as we move towards the Mid-Term Review, where the Vaccine Alliance will report on progress made in reaching its goals halfway through our five-year strategy,” he said.

LEADING VOICE IN AFRICA

We are delighted that Dr Elumelu will bring her knowledge and expertise from health and business sectors towards championing the cause of immunisation. 

Dr Seth Berkley, Gavi CEO

A general physician, Dr Elumelu is Trustee of the Tony Elumelu Foundation and a leading voice in Africa’s healthcare sector. She serves as Chairperson of Avon Healthcare Limited and CEO of Avon Medical Practice, and leads the healthcare investments of African proprietary investment group Heirs Holdings.

With her extensive healthcare and business experience, Dr Elumelu will play a critical role in furthering the work of the Vaccine Alliance in Africa. In accepting her new immunisation role, she lauded the effectiveness of the Gavi business model and its potential for bringing greater health and opportunity to Africans.

“Gavi’s unique approach of bringing together public and private players is an example to us all, not least in Africa, where governments and the private sector need to work much more closely together, to deliver economic opportunity and social good,” said Dr Elumelu.

PRIVATE SECTOR PARTNERSHIPS

The breakfast meeting resulted in several other significant private sector partnerships being announced that will address supply chain challenges, immunisation coverage and data analysis. The World Economic Forum also announced Gavi as the first non-profit organisation to partner with its Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.