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DOE terminates bidding on coal production and development

THE Department of Energy (DOE) has terminated the competitive bidding on coal production and development, including the controversial blocks on Semirara Island, following alarming concerns raised by affected stakeholders.

The 2026 coal bid round covering three pre-determined areas in Antique, Cagayan, and Isabela, offered for development and production coal operating contracts (DP COCs) under the Philippine Conventional Energy Contracting Program (PCEP) was met with heavy resistance stemming from legal, technical, financial concerns.

‘The concerns raised by stakeholders during the pre-submission conferences, developments affecting Semirara Island-one of the offered areas-including continuing water seepage, and certain legal considerations warrant a reassessment of the evaluation criteria applicable to the award of DP COCs for the offered areas,’ the DOE advisory dated September 15 stated.

Consunji-led Semirara Mining and Power Corp. (SMPC) currently holds coal operating contract (COC) no. 5, which is among the coal blocks on Semirara Island that will be auctioned. The COC is valid until July 14, 2027.

SMPC is the country’s largest coal producer, accounting for more than 90 percent of domestic coal production.

Under the draft joint administrative order (JAO) between the DOE and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the financial offer shall be the sole ranking factor in determining the winning bid. The concerned parties, however, raised PD 972 Section 8 which prescribes qualification criteria for operators-technical capability, financial capacity, and experience.

The JAO was intended to serve as the framework for the coal bid round. However, stakeholders argued that a framework reducing technical and experiential qualifications to a mere pass/fail metric-while ranking winners solely on their financial offers-does not conform to, and effectively amends, the qualifications-based selection framework mandated by PD 972.

SMPC earlier petitioned a Makati court for protection against the DOE from sharing the company’s detailed list of assets and propriety information with interested bidders.

SMPC argued that since it owns these assets by virtue of its COC and the Coal Development Act (PD 972), these assets will not be made available for the use of other bidders and should therefore not be considered in their bid submissions.

As of press time, the DOE has yet to reply when asked if it will pursue another bid round after it stated in the notice that ‘the termination will provide the opportunity to review and further develop a fair, equitable, transparent, and comprehensive evaluation framework for the award of COCs involving areas with confirmed or established reserves.’

CCC convenes 1st steering committee meeting of AIP

The Climate Change Commission (CCC) recently convened the first Steering Committee meeting of the Adaptation Investment Platform (AIP) on September 3, advancing efforts to mobilize investments and accelerate implementation of the country’s National Adaptation Plan (NAP).

The AIP seeks to help translate the country’s adaptation priorities into investment-ready projects by bringing together government, project proponents, financial institutions, and development partners to mobilize public, private, and concessional financing for locally led and NAP-aligned initiatives.

In a statement, CCC Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje underscored the importance of translating adaptation plans into concrete investments and actions that benefit communities.

‘An adaptation plan becomes consequential only when it begins to change decisions: where the government directs public resources, which projects financial institutions support, and whether investment reaches communities before climate risk becomes climate loss,’ Borje said.

Developed under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s leadership, the Philippines’ NAP was adopted by the CCC in April 2024 through Commission Resolution No. 2024-003. The Philippines was the third ASEAN nation and 56th country in the world to submit its NAP to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The NAP identifies adaptation priorities across eight sectors and estimates the annual economic cost of climate inaction at P645 billion.

While the NAP provides the country’s policy direction for climate adaptation, Borje emphasized the need to develop a credible pipeline of projects that can attract financing and deliver measurable results.

The AIP is intended to address challenges that prevent adaptation projects from advancing, including fragmented institutional arrangements, limited project readiness, financing gaps, and the absence of clear pathways from national priorities to local implementation.

The Platform’s initial pipeline includes three projects in Negros Occidental and Iloilo, provinces identified within the high-exposure band of the NAP’s provincial categorization. As of 25 August 2026, P59 million had been deployed, with P225 million identified for possible deployment over the next 12 months.

‘These are projected results, not yet accomplishments. Our responsibility is to build the governance, financing, and delivery arrangements that can turn them into verified outcomes,’ Borje said.

The first Steering Committee meeting focused on establishing the AIP’s governance and institutional arrangements, advancing the initial project pipeline, and identifying sustainable financing pathways to support the implementation of the NAP.

For the CCC, investments supported through the Platform must remain aligned with NAP priorities, provide meaningful pathways for local governments and institutions, and generate results that can be tracked through the NAP’s monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning system.

‘Let us make sure that capital reaches the farm; that an investment becomes avoided loss, protected income, and greater security; and that the promise of the National Adaptation Plan is felt where climate risk is already lived,’ Borje said.

Palestinians turn rugged caves into homes

Palestinian herder Mohammed Emar has set up a fully functional home for his family where his daughters can even sing karaoke. Only it is inside a cave after the Israeli army demolished his two houses.

In the occupied West Bank’s arid region of Masafer Yatta, Emar made a smooth concrete floor on two caves’ rough limestone ground before applying a white limewash on the brittle stone walls.

With time, electricity from solar panels and water from a well turned the grotto into a new home for the 33-year-old Emar, his two wives and 11 children, who nonetheless long for life above ground.

‘We once lived in a house above ground, where you could see the world. But today, we live in an underground cave that resembles a grave,’ Emar said.

His children now play on the patio built out of the side of the hill in front of the cave, with his daughters singing Arabic songs on a karaoke machine and keeping an eye on the younger boys.

The youngest son, Raz, short for Razeeq, is named after a Russian-Israeli man Emar met in a Tel Aviv jail during a one-year stint he says he did after an altercation with an Israeli settler when his wife Fatima was pregnant.

Above the caves, some rubble from his two houses remains three years after the army demolished them.

On a ridge roughly 300 metres away, Israeli flags, floodlights and fences signal the presence of the Israeli settlement of Avigayil, some of whose residents Emar says make life difficult for his family, with occasional theft and attacks.

Masafer Yatta, in the West Bank’s south, is known for frequent home demolitions and tensions between local Palestinians and Israeli settlers.

The hilly, semi-arid area, which is almost entirely under Israeli control according to the Oslo Agreements of the 1990s, was the subject of the Oscar-winning 2024 documentary No Other Land.

Despite an ever-shrinking living space, locals point to family and community ties as the reason for their capacity to remain on their land after home demolitions.

‘Ancient times’

‘Whenever someone loses their homes to demolitions, neighbours and families come to help them build new shelters. The fact that we all live close to each other helps,’ Emar said.

Fatima Emar, Mohammed’s wife, says that the family had originally erected tents after the houses they had built in 2023 were destroyed.

‘Now, we have sought refuge in the cave. Since it has existed since ancient times they cannot demolish it, and (the army) has allowed us to live there,’ she said.

The army justifies home demolitions by saying that the construction is illegal in areas under Israeli control. Palestinians complain that their requests for permits are almost systematically denied.

Although not the case with Emar, Israel also often destroys home to punish the families of Palestinians involved in attacks.

Emar says he hoped that the region’s roughly 1,100 Palestinian residents could one day live safely in houses.

‘While the world moves forward, we here in Palestine, in Masafer Yatta, are moving backwards.’

Cabanatuan farmers to benefit from new ?74-M rice facility

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) on Thursday launched a P74.4 million rice processing facility in Cabanatuan City, which is in the heart of Central Luzon, the rice granary of the Philippines.

The DA said this would provide 4,060 farmers in Cabanatuan access to drying and milling equipment to reduce postharvest losses and improve their income.

Rice Processing System (RPS) III includes a state-of-the-art multi-stage rice mill with a capacity of four to five metric tons (MT) per hour and three recirculating dryers, each with a 12 MT per batch drying capacity.

The project is expected to benefit farmers cultivating at least 8,976 hectares of rice farms in Cabanatuan, the DA said.

The facility was funded under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (Rcef) mechanization program, and was turned over to the City Government of Cabanatuan through the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech).

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said that such investments should be measured by their impact on farmers and their families.

‘The true progress of agriculture is not measured only by the volume of rice harvested, but by the comfort and prosperity it brings to the table of every farming family,’ Tiu Laurel said.

The investment comes as the government ramps up efforts to make rice farming more productive and competitive in Nueva Ecija, the country’s leading rice-producing province that forms part of the national food supply.

Under the Rcef mechanization program, farm and postharvest equipment are provided to eligible farmers’ cooperatives and associations (FCAs) and local governments (LGU) to boost productivity, profitability, and competitiveness.

The program was extended until 2031 under amendments to the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL), with its annual allocation increased from P5 billion to P9 billion.

‘The facility could help farmers retain more value from their harvest by making drying and milling services more accessible locally, reducing reliance on immediate palay sales after harvest,’ the DA said.

The agency said the RPS facility is part of its efforts to modernize the rice sector, lower production and postharvest costs, raise farm incomes, and strengthen the country’s food security.

Beyond NLEX’s flood fix

The rains brought by the habagat toward the tail end of August triggered flooding that affected millions of Filipinos. Among those affected were motorists on the North Luzon Expressway, who found themselves stranded for hours after flooding in San Simon, Pampanga spilled over onto a portion of the highway near Tulaoc Bridge.

In light of the flooding along NLEX during the habagat, the road operator provided motorists toll-free passage for several days when traveling between Pulilan, Bulacan and San Fernando, Pampanga, in both directions- with no claim forms or queues required. This followed President Marcos’ directive to provide relief to motorists affected by flooding near Tulaoc Bridge.

I must admit, the flooding that stalled a portion of NLEX was an unusual sight- a first for me, after years of traveling to and from Pampanga. While I was not among those stranded that day, I understood the frustration of the motorists who were. Expressways are designed to be resilient, engineered to withstand the elements, and trusted to enable uninterrupted travel- so when something like this happens, it is tempting to point fingers at the toll road operator. But it is worth understanding what actually happened first.

First, the water did not originate from the expressway itself. Two river channels run through the area, and one gave way, feeding into the other. The result was a sudden concentration of water. The water did not travel a channel to reach the road- it came across overland.

The geography of the area also matters. San Simon sits inside the Candaba floodplain, where local rivers are unlined and are therefore vulnerable to siltation, vegetation and structural encroachments. When the rains came, the floodplain reminded us of its nature.

NLEX has not been idle in addressing this. The section of the Tulaoc River that runs alongside the expressway has been dredged. As of Sept. 8, there was no water even on the shoulder. Sheet piles have also been installed to keep water out of the system and dredging continues upstream from Manila Bay toward the expressway. Barges were contributed by San Miguel, though upstream deployment was impossible during the flood because truck access was blocked.

The real challenge lies downstream. NLEX said it sent a survey boat to check the river along its section, but the boat could not even get through – heavy silt, thick clusters of water lilies, structures built mid-channel and houses had all but choked the water’s path to Manila Bay. The way I see it, the durable fix is dredging, paired with restoring the river’s capacity to hold and carry water the way it used to. That work is not NLEX’s to do, but to its credit, it said it is willing to help see it through.

With the scenes of flooding on NLEX dominating headlines, some have suggested raising the expressway further, which might seem like the pragmatic fix. I asked NLEX about this, and the company explained that engineering wisdom cautions against it, since raising the road again would push deeper water into San Simon, relocating the problem onto the town rather than addressing it.

It would also start a cycle: every raise of the roadway would require a matching raise of the overpass above it, and so on, indefinitely. The more sustainable option is a viaduct extension across the floodplain- a national infrastructure decision, not one a toll operator can make alone.

Finally, perspective is needed. On a normal week, this network handles one incident that backs traffic up about five kilometers, typically a truck accident. Response arrives within 45 minutes, cleared in about three hours. This event was different since no Class 1 lanes were passable across a roughly 10-kilometer stretch of the road on a rainy, holiday weekend. NLEX has admitted that keeping the road partly open was the wrong judgment and that the response was not adequate to the event.

The flooding on NLEX is a complex story that should not be viewed as the fault of one party alone. It is one that deals with the limits of infrastructure amid the worsening impact of climate change. Until we confront the uncomfortable reality that climate change is requiring all of us to adapt faster to its worsening impact, we will continue to see water where we least expect it.

At my age, I have watched this pattern repeat itself: a flood, then the blame game and finger-pointing, a few weeks of promises, then silence until the next rainy season. That cycle helps no one, and it will not keep the water out next time. What would help is treating the river system with the same urgency as the road – a serious commitment to a dredging schedule, a viaduct extension and a national government that sees it through.

I choose to believe we are capable of doing better and I look forward to the day when the rains come and go year in and year out – and all they leave behind is green fields and full rivers, nothing more.

Fire Guts SIC Building In Takoradi

A ferocious fire gutted the main building of the State Insurance Company (SIC) in Takoradi early yesterday morning.

The inferno affected several offices in the four-storey building destroying property worth thousands of Cedis.

One of the badly hit offices was the studio of Takoradi-based New Day Television.

The cause of the fire was not immediately known. However, it reportedly started from the television studio at about 9:00am.

Firefighters from Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) and the Ghana Ports and Habours Authority (GPHA) later arrived at the scene and managed to bring the fire under control.

2027: City Boy Movement unveils Ondo leadership to rally youths for Tinubu

The Ondo State chapter of the City Boy Movement has been inaugurated with a pledge to mobilise youths and grassroots supporters across the state in support of President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in the 2027 general elections.

Speaking at the inauguration of the State Executives, Tosin Shoga, the National Director-General of the group, said the initiative was aimed at mobilising and empowering young Nigerians to play a more active role in national development.

According to him, the movement will go beyond electoral politics by promoting national unity, discipline, constitutional values and youth participation in governance, while supporting the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu administration.

Shoga, who described the inauguration as another milestone in strengthening youth participation in politics and nation-building, said, ‘Every youth in Nigeria is welcome to join the movement. Our strategy is to reach every ward, community and polling unit across the country.

‘It’s time for us to come together and build the new Nigeria; we need to build 10 million membership for the support of President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in the 2027 general elections.

‘Let me commend the Ondo State chapter; they have shown that we are fully prepared for the upcoming election as a City-Boy Movement, and they have shown strength.

‘They have, over time, been a group that has shown that they are serious about mobilisation, and we can see from what we have seen that they have the numbers and they have the strength.

‘I want to commend the Minister for Youth, Ayodele Olawande, who is one of the patrons and is also from Ondo State, for the massive work and encouragement given to youths, particularly those who want to get involved in politics. Particularly, let me commend the son of the President, Seyi Tinubu, for his vision and commitment to youth development.

Oluwafemi Ayejusunle, the Ondo State Director, City Boy Movement, in his inaugural address said, ‘Our mandate is clear: build a strong structure from the state to every ward and polling unit, communicate the Renewed Hope Agenda, and secure massive votes for President Tinubu and the APC.

‘Let us remember where we are coming from. In the 2023 presidential election, Ondo State delivered the highest number of votes for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the entire Southwest. We led; others followed. In 2027, we must not only repeat that historic feat, but we must also surpass it with over one million votes. Ondo State is ready.

‘Under Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s leadership, we see the results of progressive governance. We will amplify these gains and ensure every community understands why continuity under President Tinubu is non-negotiable.

‘The President has also compensated Ondo State adequately for that loyalty. No state in the Southwest has been so honoured. We have three substantive ministers and key drivers of this administration from Ondo State: the Ministry of Interior led by Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who is reforming our internal security and immigration system; the Ministry of Youth Development led by our Co-Patron, Ayodele Olawande, who is giving voice and opportunities to Nigerian youths; and the fiscal and tax reform engine of this government led by Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, who is fixing our economy for prosperity.

‘The evidence of President Tinubu’s love for Ondo State goes beyond appointments and is visible everywhere. From massive road infrastructure like the dualisation of Ore-Ondo-Akure Road, Akure-Ado Ekiti Road, Ilesha-Akure-Benin and Owo-Benin Expressway, to the 71 kilometres of the legacy Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway passing through Ilaje and Ese-Odo that will open our coastal economy like never before.’

Ayejusunle said further, ‘To the new executives: lead with discipline, integrity, and results. Reach the youth, women, markets, campuses, and communities; talk less, work more and deliver votes.

‘Our priorities are simple: strengthen structures across all 18 LGAs, intensify grassroots mobilisation for 2027, educate citizens on the Renewed Hope Agenda and build an unstoppable network for President Tinubu’s re-election.’

2027: Aisha Buhari, Atiku meet in Abuja

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has received former First Lady Aisha Buhari during a visit in Abuja.

Atiku, who is the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), described the visit as warm and deeply appreciated.

Aisha, the wife of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, was accompanied by her daughter, Hanan, and other members of the Buhari family.

According to Atiku, the two families had previously met in Saudi Arabia in February while performing Umrah, the lesser Hajj.

Announcing Aisha’s latest visit in a post on his verified X account on Wednesday, September 16, Atiku said the meeting further strengthened his commitment to building a better Nigeria.

The former vice president used the occasion to draw attention to the economic difficulties facing many Nigerian families.

He said rising prices of food, transportation, education, healthcare and other basic needs were putting increasing pressure on households across the country.

‘Atiku said the welfare, dignity and future of ordinary Nigerians must remain at the centre of any serious political agenda.’

He added that Nigerians deserved an economy where hard work could provide better opportunities instead of leaving families struggling to afford basic necessities.

‘That is the Nigeria we must build together, a country that works for its people again,’ Atiku said.

The ADC presidential candidate also called for urgent measures to reduce the financial pressure on households and restore confidence in the country’s economy.

‘We must ease the burden, restore hope and Make Nigeria Affordable Again,’ he said.

Atiku was ratified as the ADC presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections on May 29, 2026, after leaving the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Ford rolls out V6 power in Ranger and Everest line-up, proven on Philippine roads

FORD Philippines has once again raised the bar in the mid-size SUV and pickup segments, unveiling refreshed Everest and Ranger variants that bring more muscle, smarter technology, and tougher capability. The launch introduced the New Ranger Wildtrak X 3.0 V6, the flagship New Everest Platinum 3.0 V6 4×4, and the latest addition, the Everest Wildtrak 2.0 4×4, alongside other updated trims.

New Ranger Wildtrak X 3.0 V6

THE New Ranger Wildtrak X 3.0 V6 4×4 headlines Ford’s pickup line-up, combining raw boosted V6 power with specialized off-road equipment. Its 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 delivers 247 hp and 600 N-m of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. It also features a 4×4 Terrain Management System with Selectable Drive Modes. This drivetrain ensures more responsive acceleration and smooth power delivery across varied terrain.

Exterior upgrades emphasize its rugged stance: increased ride height, 17-inch alloy wheels with all-terrain tires, Bilstein dampers, and reinforced underbody protection with bash and skid plates. These elements give the Wildtrak X the rugged character to tackle rougher trails while carrying gear for active lifestyles.

Inside, Ford balances toughness with premium technology. A 12.4-inch multi-information display, 12-inch infotainment screen, and 10-speaker BandO sound system elevate cabin refinement. Driver-assistance features such as Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go and a 360-degree camera add convenience whether navigating city streets or venturing off-road.

Everest Platinum 3.0 V6 4×4

AT the top of the SUV range sits the Everest Platinum 3.0 V6 4×4, a model that redefines premium adventure. Its new V6 turbodiesel engine mirrors the Ranger’s output-247 hp and 600 N-m-but pairs it with full-time 4×4 capability for added stability and towing strength.

The Platinum’s exterior signals flagship presence with Matrix LED headlamps and bold 21-inch alloy wheels. Inside, exclusivity is underscored by quilted leather seats, heated and ventilated front seats, a 10-way power driver’s seat with memory, and a 12-speaker BandO sound system. These refinements transform long journeys into comfortable escapes, while its seven-seat layout ensures versatility for families.

Everest Wildtrak 2.0 Turbo 4×4

FORD introduces the latest addition, the Everest Wildtrak 2.0 Turbo 4×4 variant. Powered by a refined 2.0-liter turbodiesel, it emphasizes durability and efficiency while maintaining responsive performance. The engine produces 168 hp and 405 Nm of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission that ensures smooth acceleration across varied conditions.

Its drivetrain is complemented by a 4×4 Terrain Management System with six selectable modes-Normal, Eco, Tow/Haul, Slippery, Mud/Ruts, and Sand-giving drivers the flexibility to adapt to changing surfaces and environments.

Distinctive Ignite Orange exterior accents, refreshed Wildtrak interior details, and 20-inch alloy wheels give this variant a unique character.

Other Everest variants: Sport+ and Active

FORD broadens choice with two additional trims. The Everest Sport+ 2.0 Turbo 4×2 introduces a larger 12-inch infotainment screen and expanded driver-assistance features, including Adaptive Cruise Control with Lane Centering, a 360-degree camera, and Blind Spot Information System with Cross-Traffic Alert and Braking.

Meanwhile, the Everest Active 2.0 Turbo 4×2 focuses on everyday family versatility. It gains dual-zone climate control, rain-sensing wipers, and enhanced safety tech such as Autonomous Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection and Forward Collision Warning.

Pricing and warranty

Ford has positioned its refreshed models with competitive pricing across the line-up. The Ranger Wildtrak X 3.0 V6 4×4 Diesel comes in at P2.609 million, while the Ranger Wildtrak 3.0 V6 4×4 Diesel is priced at P2.469 million.

On the SUV side, the flagship Everest Platinum 3.0 V6 4×4 is offered at P2.849 million, followed by the Everest Wildtrak 2.0 Turbo 4×4 at P2.669 million. The Everest Sport+ 2.0 Turbo 4×2 is listed at P2.219 million, while the entry-level Everest Active 2.0 Turbo 4×2 rounds out the range at P1.949 million.

All models come with Ford’s standard five-year warranty, reinforcing ownership confidence and long-term peace of mind. With these refreshed line-ups, Ford Philippines strengthens its foothold in the SUV and pickup segments.

Behind the wheel: New V6 line-up tested on Philippine roads

THE day after Ford Philippines unveiled its refreshed Ranger and Everest line-up, the real test began. Keys were handed over, engines fired up, and the convoy set out to prove that the new V6 variants were more than just showroom statements.

The drive started with the Ranger Wildtrak X 3.0 V6. Climbing the winding roads toward Tanay, the Wildtrak X displayed its commanding torque and steady composure. Each ascent was tackled with ease, the 10-speed automatic transmission keeping power delivery smooth and consistent.

At the campsite, the terrain shifted to rough, muddy, and slippery paths. Here, the Wildtrak X’s Bilstein dampers and reinforced underbody protection came into play. The 4×4 system, paired with its terrain management, allowed the pickup to crawl through ruts and slush without hesitation. Mud splattered, tires dug in, yet the cabin remained composed-proof that this truck was engineered for more than just city runs.

From Tanay, the convoy pressed south, and the Everest Platinum 3.0 V6 4×4 took the lead. Provincial highways offered stretches to stretch its legs, the V6 engine delivering refined acceleration with confidence. But the real challenge came as skies opened on the way to Lipa, Batangas.

Under heavy downpour, visibility dropped, and roads turned slick. The Platinum’s full-time 4×4 system and electronic aids provided assurance, keeping the SUV planted even as water pooled across lanes. Inside, comfort was never compromised-quilted leather seats and the BandO sound system turned the storm outside into a backdrop rather than a burden. The drive highlighted not only power but composure, a flagship SUV proving its worth in real conditions.

On the return to Manila, it was the Everest Wildtrak 2.0 Turbo 4×4’s turn to impress. The freeway run demanded consistency, and the Wildtrak delivered. Its 168 hp output and 405 N-m of torque paired with the 10-speed automatic transmission ensured steady cruising, while the 4×4 Terrain Management System stood ready for ascents and winding stretches. As the convoy tackled elevated roads and curves, the Wildtrak’s balance of efficiency and capability came through

The experiential drive underscored what the launch promised: Ford’s new Ranger and Everest variants are not just about numbers on paper.

Edo Internal Revenue Service bars MDAs from setting up mobile courts to try tax offenders

The management of the Edo State Internal Revenue Service (EIRS) has banned heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) from setting up mobile courts to try tax offenders across the state.

The agency also prohibited MDAs from engaging consultants or carrying out enforcement activities without its approval.

John Osirenimhe Odior, the Executive Chairman of EIRS, disclosed this at a meeting with Patrick Auguinede, Managing Director of the Edo State Outdoor Advertising Agency (EDSAA), and Nelson Tenebe, Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the Edo State Hospital Management Agency.

Odior said the initiative was part of efforts to sustain dialogue, clarify grey areas, and ensure compliance with the Edo State Revenue Consolidation Account Law, 2026, and the Edo State Internal Revenue Service (EIRS) Law.

He said the meeting was also geared towards deepening the agency’s engagement with heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) across the state.

He added that the State’s Revenue Consolidation Account Law was designed to enhance the state’s revenue base by sealing off leakages within the revenue ecosystem.

He stated that the leadership of both agencies had sought greater clarity on the steps required for a smooth transition under the new law, as well as areas where they might need assistance.

According to him, adequate and proper accounting and reporting of internally generated revenue would further enhance the state’s reputation and credibility before national and global institutions.

Odior, however, assured the agency heads that the law would ultimately benefit both government institutions and citizens of the state, resulting in an improved work environment and better tools for enhanced service delivery to the public.

He urged all heads of MDAs to comply with all existing tax laws and the new Revenue Consolidation Account Law within the stipulated timelines to avoid sanctions from the government.

The EIRS chairman further emphasised the importance of collaboration among government agencies in ensuring effective revenue collection and compliance with the provisions of the new law.

He called on the agency heads to maintain open communication with the EIRS and seek clarification on any grey areas that might arise during the implementation of the law.

The meeting formed part of the EIRS’s ongoing efforts to engage stakeholders and ensure a smooth transition to the new revenue administration framework in Edo State.