Metro

Kenya launches new digital number plates to curb tax evasion, crime

Published

2 years ago

August 31, 2022

The Kenyan government has launched a new digital number plate aimed at curbing tax evasion, crime and fraud by its citizens.

Features of the new digital number plates which was introduced on Tuesday at a ceremony held at the GSU Recce Unit Headquarters in Ruiru, Nairobi, “will boast of a QR code, an hologram, NTSA serial number (front diff from back plate) and the Kenyan flag,” according to the East African country’s Interior Cabinet Secretary, Fred Matiang’I.

Matiang’I said the launch of the digital number plates was in fulfillment of the government’s promise at the beginning of the year to come up with a new generation of digital number plates with inbuilt security features that allow for tracing of cars ownership by law enforcement agencies.

He said the new plates which complies with the country’s amended Traffic Act of 2016 will bear additional features, some of which shall be visible physically and others only to security agencies for ease of tracing in the event they are involved in committing crime.

Matiang’I said the digital plates that shall be fixed to vehicles imported to the country at the point of entry will be “synchronised with KRA systems to help rid cases of tax evasion in car selling business.”

“The work is being done by a multi agency unit of the security sector and is part of the reforms initiated by President Uhuru Kenyatta after the 2019 Dusit attack.

“Their capability allows us to change to the country’s 4.8 million vehicles within to the new generation plates within 12 months but that has been extended to a period of 18 months,” he said.

Related Topics:Crime Featured fraud Kenya Plate Number

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Metro

EU launches initiative to reintegrate over 417,661 out-of-school children in Nigeria

Published

14 hours ago

November 15, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The European Union (EU) has launched an initiative to reintegrate over 417,661 out-of-school children in Nigeria, particularly in the northwestern parts of the country.

Mrs. Tobi Ransomed, who is the consortium lead, disclosed this during the launching of the “Accelerating Basic Education and Livelihood Opportunities for Children and Youth in North West Nigeria Program” (ABEP), held in Dutse, the capital of Jigawa State, on Thursday.

While declaring the event open, Ransomed noted that the high rate of out-of-school children in the region required a holistic approach from all relevant stakeholders to ensure these children reached their potential.

Speaking further, she said the ABEP three-year pilot program would be implemented through Save the Children International, PLAN, and Development Alternatives Incorporated (DAG) across twelve local government areas in Kano, Jigawa, and Sokoto States.

“Data from Save the Children International (SCI), has shown that 10% of the world’s out-of-school children are in Nigeria, with over 10 million primary school-age children not in school. Approximately 25% of girls and 10% of boys in the country have been victims of sexual violence,” she stated.

“The program aims to increase access to safe, quality, and inclusive alternative and accelerated education programs for 324,000 young girls and boys, as well as 32,400 persons with disabilities, supporting their transition into formal or non-formal education.

“This project plans to increase access to livelihood opportunities, vocational education, and green job opportunities for 60,000 youths and 6,000 persons with disabilities, with 20,000 beneficiaries in each participating state.

“The overall objective is to contribute to the empowerment of the poorest, underserved, and most marginalized population groups, including women, girls, and youth, by providing access to quality, inclusive, gender-sensitive, and conflict-sensitive education in northwestern Nigeria with a special focus on Kano, Jigawa, and Sokoto States,” she stated.

Metro

World Bank pledges $3b to support Zambia’s development goals

Published

1 day ago

November 14, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The World Bank Group has pledged to avail Zambia with approximately $3 billion to support the country’s development goals under the new Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for 2025-2029, with nearly half of the funds already disbursed.

World Bank Country Manager, Achim Fock, who made this known at the CPF launch at the Mulungushi Conference Centre in Lusaka on Wednesday, outlined the global lender’s focus areas, which included enhancing jobs, human capital, and climate resilience.

Fock highlighted that $200 million had been approved to strengthen Zambia’s social protection programs, including the Refugee and Host Community Project.

He also expressed optimism for upcoming approvals, including the Climate and Economic Resilience Financing and the Zambia-Tanzania Interconnector.

Zambia’s Finance and National Planning Minister, Situmbeko Musokotwane, who also spoke at the event, noted that 2.3 million Zambian households have so far benefited from social protection interventions such as the Cash for Work Programme, emphasizing the government’s commitment to safeguarding lives amid crises like the recent drought.

Musokotwane further reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting lives during times of crises such as the recent drought.

“More than two thirds of the Zambian population was affected by the drought. It was the government’s view that the first priority was to save lives,” Musokotwane stated.