Economy
Nigeria’s Debt to GDP Ratio Drops to 18.99%—DMO
By Dipo Olowookere
The Debt Management Office (DMO) has disclosed that the debt stock to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Nigeria reduced to 18.99 percent as at June 30, 2019 from 19.09 percent as at December 31, 2018.
The agency made this disclosure while rolling out the Medium–Term External Borrowing Plan of the federal government, which is meant to stimulating economic growth, diversify the economy and bring about investments in human capital.
In the plan, the debt office emphasised that the present level of Nigeria’s debt to GDP ratio was very low when compared with many advanced nations like the United States of America (USA).
However, it stressed that where the problem lies for the Africa’s largest economy is its debt service to revenue ratio, which the DMO said was high at 57 percent in 2017 and 51 percent in 2018.
This was attributed to the increase in the debt stock and relatively high domestic interest rates, noting that it was for this reason government has decided to borrow externally through the $30 billion loan is seeks approval for from the National Assembly.
“Nigeria has a ceiling of 25 percent on the total public debt stock to GDP, which it has operated within,” the debt office said in the plan viewed by Business Post, adding that the debt service/revenue ratio “provides strong justification for the current drive to increase oil and non-oil revenues significantly.”
According to the DMO, “The United States of America, United Kingdom and Canada had debt/ GDP ratios of 105 percent, 85 percent and 90 percent in 2017 which were much higher than that of Nigeria, but because they generate adequate revenues, their debt service/revenue for the same year were 12.5 percent, 7.5 percent and 7.5 percent respectively.
“The case was also similar for Brazil, South Africa, Kenya and Mexico who had higher Debt/GDP than Nigeria (74 percent, 53 percent, 57 percent and 46 percent respectively), but had lower debt service/revenue of 32.20 percent, 11.4 percent, 13.2 percent and 13.6 percent respectively.”
“This is clear evidence that Nigeria’s revenues are low. This is further demonstrated by Nigeria’s tax to GDP ratio of only 6 percent in 2018 compared to: Kenya-15.7 percent, Morroco-21.8 percent, Cameroon-12.2 percent and South Africa-27.5 percent, all for 2017. These, attest to the fact that Nigeria has a Revenue challenge rather than a debt problem,” the DMO added.
The debt office threw its weight behind the borrowing plan, saying it would be used to develop infrastructure in the country like roads, railways, waterways and power, which it said “will help to unleash the potentials of the Nigerian economy.”
“Other loans such as those for the educational sector will contribute to the development of Nigeria’s human capital, while loans for agriculture will be used to diversify the economy.
There will also be funding for development finance institutions to enhance access to finance for micro, small and medium scale enterprises,” the debt office further said.
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Booking Made Simple
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Regarding travel booking for business, the platform simplifies booking by putting flight and hotel options in one package. It allows the employees to arrange their flight details and hotel through a single software.
Enhanced Personalization for Travel
Employees might find it difficult to find policy-conforming flight and booking options. For instance, they might want to book a hotel closer to the office but cannot find good options. It makes them compromise on the factor of staying near the workplace. They have to book a policy-compliant hotel somewhere else. Not getting the hotel they wanted might make them feel dissatisfied.
A Corporate booking tool uses predictive analytics to evaluate the performance of the employees. In this manner, it solves the problems by personalizing business travel booking. It recommends policy-compliant options based on the patterns. It also prevents the employees from overspending and alerts them about future trips.
Promote Traveler’s Safety
Traveler safety is the primary concern in business or any travel. Employees seek real-time updates throughout the business trip leading to better travel risk management. The employer must ensure the safety of the travelers.
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Secure Data Storage
The travel booking software also has data on PII (Personally Identifiable Information), which includes employee IDs and credit card details. Any information leak can jeopardize the safety of the employee and the company. Therefore, it is critical to safeguard such information.
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Interactive UI
The travel booking tool provides employees with a convenient booking experience. The user interface is simple to access and operate and is user-friendly. Travelers can also access real-time visibility of travel policy on the booking window. It allows the employees hassle-free booking.
Centralized Process
A few corporate tools provide a one-stop solution for the company’s end-to-end business travel management needs. It encompasses planning, booking, and support all on one platform.
With these tools, employees and companies can access multiple services like flight, itinerary creation, hotel booking, expense management, weather updates, etc. They find all of these on one platform. It makes business trips and booking easier and more accessible for travelers.
24×7 Traveller Support
International booking is a little daunting for employees who have not done it before. There are many factors like foreign time zones, weather, cuisines, and most of all; they must navigate an unknown place.
In addition, it can be frustrating to find oneself in the middle of a travel emergency. It can make the whole experience dull and frustrating. However, with the corporate booking tool, the employees can receive extensive support anywhere, anytime.
The tech-forward travel booking tool for corporate employees provides 24×7 customer support. The employees can contact the solution-providing team through emails, chats, and calls. They will receive the help that they are seeking.
By Dipo Olowookere
A legal action has been instituted against the co-founder of Seplat Energy Plc, Mr A.B.C. Orjiako, by the indigenous energy company at the Federal High Court in Abuja over breaches of an agreement between them.
A statement issued by Seplat disclosed that the organisation entered into a consultancy deal with Mr Orjiako, through his firm, Amaze Limited.
According to the disclosure, which was made pursuant to Rule 17.10 of the Rulebook of the Nigerian Exchange Limited, 2015, also known as issuer’s rule, Mr Orjiako failed to do something about the alleged breaches after his attention was called to infractions.
As a result, Seplat Energy terminated the “consultancy agreement between the company’s wholly-owned subsidiary and its co-founder, Dr. A.B.C Orjiako, acting through Amaze Limited” with immediate effect and is seeking “appropriate legal remedies.”
“Under the consultancy agreement, Dr Orjiako was obliged to provide defined assistance with certain external stakeholder engagements following his retirement from the board after the 2022 Annual General Meeting in May 2022,” a part of the notice stated.
It was further noted that the board of directors of the organisation “unanimously approved” the termination of the contract “following repeated warnings about breaches of a material nature, such as unilaterally making significant commitments on Seplat’s letterhead without prior board authority or knowledge.”
It explained that the suit “was necessary to protect the company and its shareholders, directors, and officers from potential and increasing liability arising from the conduct of the consultants, Dr Orjiako and Amaze Limited.
“Seplat Energy reiterates its commitment to high standards of corporate governance across all areas of its business. The matter is now sub judice and awaiting resolution by the court,” the statement noted.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The amount shared to the three tiers of government, the federal government, state governments, and local governments, by the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), decreased in March 2023 from the money distributed in February.
A communique issued on Wednesday after the FAAC meeting in Abuja disclosed that N722.7 billion was disbursed from the revenue generated by the country last month compared with the N750.2 billion shared in February.
A breakdown showed that the total distributable revenue of N722.677 billion comprised distributable statutory revenue of N366.800 billion, distributable Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue of N224.232 billion, Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL) of N11.645 billion and N120.000 billion Augmentation from Forex Equalisation Account.
In the disclosure signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations of the Office of the Account-General of the Federation (OAGF), Mr Bawa Mokwa, it was disclosed that in February, Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT), Companies Income Tax (CIT), Oil and Gas Royalties, Import and Excise Duties all decreased significantly while Value Added Tax (VAT) and Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL) decreased marginally.
Explaining how the money was disbursed, FAAC said from the N722.677 billion, the federal government received N269.063 billion, the state governments got N236.464 billion, and the local councils were given N173.936 billion, while N43.214 billion was shared to the oil-producing states as 13 per cent derivation revenue.
Further, from the N366.800 billion distributable statutory revenue, the federal government received N178.683 billion, the state governments received N90.630 billion, and the local government councils received N69.872 billion, with relevant states getting N27.614 billion as 13 per cent derivation revenue.
In addition, from the distributable N224.232 billion from VAT, the federal government received N33.635 billion, the state governments received N112.116 billion, and the local councils received N78.481 billion.
The statement also said N11.645 billion Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL) was distributed as follows: the Federal Government received N1.747 billion, the State Governments received N5.822 billion, and the Local Government Councils received N4.076 billion.
From the N120.000 billion Augmentation, the Federal Government received N54.998 billion, the State Governments received N27.896 billion, the Local Government Councils received N21.506 billion, and a total sum of N15.600 billion was shared to the relevant States as 13 per cent of mineral revenue.
In February 2023, the total deductions for the cost of the collection were N27.449 billion, and total deductions for transfers, savings, recoveries and refunds were N109.909 billion, while the balance in the Excess Crude Account (ECA) was $473,754.57, the same amount it had remained since December 2022.
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