According to him,the production will have impact on reducing the price of petroleum products and make life easier for the masses.
He however urged the management to expedite actions to ensure that the Kaduna Refining & Petrochemical Company Limited (KRPC) to come back to live after several years of non-production.
Senator Shehu Sani in a statement via a post on his X space said: “Glad to hear that Port Harcourt Refinery has commenced production.We hope this will impact on reducing the price of petroleum products and make life easier for the masses.
“We are anxiously waiting for similar gesture to Kaduna Refinery.A country that cannot process its natural resources is still a colony.Kudos to Kyaril.”
Port Harcourt Refinery, one of the oil refineries owned by the Nigerian state, has commenced processing crude oil production.
The Chief Corporate Communications Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) Femi Soneye, confirmed this on Tuesday.
PH Refinery: Shehu Sani commends Kyari…Urges action on Kaduna Refinery
Former lawmaker ,Senator Shehu Sani has commended the Eng Mele Kyari management of NNPCL for the commencement of crude oil and processing production.
According to him,the production will have impact on reducing the price of petroleum products and make life easier for the masses.
He however urged the management to expedite actions to ensure that the Kaduna Refining & Petrochemical Company Limited (KRPC) to come back to live after several years of non-production.
Senator Shehu Sani in a statement via a post on his X space said: “Glad to hear that Port Harcourt Refinery has commenced production.We hope this will impact on reducing the price of petroleum products and make life easier for the masses.
“We are anxiously waiting for similar gesture to Kaduna Refinery.A country that cannot process its natural resources is still a colony.Kudos to Kyaril.”
Port Harcourt Refinery, one of the oil refineries owned by the Nigerian state, has commenced processing crude oil production.
The Chief Corporate Communications Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) Femi Soneye, confirmed this on Tuesday.
Satisfied with contents of new tax reform bills, the amalgamation of Islamic groups under aegis of Islamic Forum for Unity of the Ummah have endorsed the controversial proposed reforms introduced by President Bola Tinubu-led administration.
The Islamic Forum, which initially expressed fears and reservations about tax bills said after careful study of the content and wide consultants with experts, it was discovered that the bills are with good intentions and not dangerous to the interest of Islamic religion and Nigerians.
President had on On September 3, 2024, transmitted four tax reform bills to the National Assembly for consideration, following the recommendations of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal and Tax Reforms headed by Taiwo Oyedele for the review of existing tax laws.
The Islamic Forum,which announced the endorsement in a communique issued after a meeting held in Abuja said it decided to support the bills on grounds that they have the potential to reshape Nigeria’s fiscal landscape and drive economic growth and sustainability.
While recalling why the Northern traditional rulers; Northern States’ Governors Forum (NSGF) and other leaders in the region opposed the Nigeria Tax Bill, claiming it would improvish the region, the Islamic groups, urged the federal government to embark on mass enlightenment programme to educate Nigerians about the contents of the bills
The communique jointly signed by the Chairman, Mallam Adam Awwal Muhammad and Secretary Sheikh Akanbi Rashidi Bolaji, reads: That there is no basis to entertain any fear about these bills. If anything, Nigerians will commend Tinubu for laying a solid foundation that will ensure the fiscal stability of the country, if they get to know the details of the documents.
“The Nigeria Tax Bill aims to codify all of the taxing provisions into one single document, to be known as the Nigeria Tax Act when passed into law. In the bill, chapters are devoted to the various tax types in a simplified format. The proposed tax law is also written in a simple language that anyone with basic literary education can read and understand.
“After intensive deliberations and analysis of the content of proposed reforms,we gathered that key components are intended to reduce overlapping taxes; harmonise tax processes nationwide; and create a Joint Revenue Board to streamline tax administration across the country.
“Against this background,We are appealing to our Muslim brothers to support the tax reform initiative .
We are urging the Non Governmental Organizations, Civil Society Organization,and government at all levels to to ensure the documents are made public.
“We however,suggest that President Tinubu meet with Governors , stakeholders and manufacturers and the ordinary citizens to discuss importance of bills to growth and development of our country.”
Northern Business Professionals have backed the proposed tax reform bills on grounds that the gains far outweighs the disadvantages and guarantee business development.
According to group , the tax reform bills are long awaited as they will help to stimulate the economy and establish a streamlined tax administration system; free multiple taxation and reshape Nigeria’s fiscal landscape aa well as drive economic growth and sustainability.
The President had on September 3, 2024 submitted four tax reform bills to the National Assembly for consideration, based on recommendations from the Presidential Committee on Fiscal and Tax Reforms, led by Taiwo Oyedele, to review existing tax laws.
In a press statement made available to Kaduna journalists today , the Northern Business Professionals said, there is no basis to entertain any fear about the bills. Adding” If anything, Nigerians will commend Tinubu for laying a solid foundation that will ensure the fiscal stability of the country.
In the statement signed by Mal. Abubakar Mustapha Kauru ,they gave assurance that ,”When Nigerians get to know the details of the documents, they will know that the president is working to bring relief to them and their businesses.”
While noting that multiplicity of taxes is one factor that has continued to impede efficiency in Nigeria’s tax system, with a negative impact, it stated that ,” The four executive bills seek to tidy up the fiscal policy and legislation environment in the country.
Adding,”These bills seek to translate the recommendations of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, chaired by Taiwo Oyedele, into an implementable legislative framework for the benefit of Nigerians.
“Though the transimission of the bills to National Assembly sparked debates in the polity about the purpose of the bills with some persons expressing fears that it might encapsulate proposals calling for a raise in tax rates in a way that will further burden the citizens.”
However it explained: “There a dire need to modernize the nation’s tax framework, the reforms in order to o consolidate tax structures, unify revenue collection,promote economic development,and provide for price transparency and monitoring of publication costs and fees.
“The greatest news is that the bills seek to offer a clear and concise legal framework for all taxes and reducing disputes, thus we urge the National Assembly to pass it without delay.”
Coalition of Civil Society Organisations under aegis Good Governance Initiative For Development (GGID) have dismissed the recent protest against Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) as a sponsored job to blackmail and descredit all efforts made to return the oil sector on right path of growth and development.
According bro the Coalition, the latest clamours for removal of Kyari,who has helped President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda score huge wins in the petroleum sector is unnecessary.
Recalled that Some groups had mobilized other civil society groups to shut down the National Assembly complex on Tuesday with the Kyari-Must-Go protest.
The anti-Kyari protesters are demanding the immediate resignation of the NNPCL boss by the Presiden Bola AhmedTinubu.
But in a statement by the Coordinator of the Good Governance Initiative For Development, Comrade Yunusa Kabir Mohammed, the group said the call for Kyari’s resignation is nothing short of a blackmail of the NNPC boss who has engineered efforts that have made products available to Nigerians.
“This is undoubtedly sponsored by mischief makers who were bent on discrediting President Tinubu’s petroleum reforms agenda for the benefit of the masses.” It added .
While describing the protest as a clear case of internal sabotage orchestrated by individuals that are threatened by Kyari’s success, it dismissed the accusations raised as baseless and motivated by corrupt interests seeking to undermine the significant progress made in the oil and gas sector. The statement reads : “Kyari’s leadership has driven crucial reforms, such as the transition of NNPC into a limited liability company, enhancing its financial viability and operational efficiency. Noting his resolve to tackle oil theft through strategic partnerships with security agencies has contributed significantly to enhancing Nigeria’s revenue base.
“Why do we allow anyone sabotage kyari’s genuine commitment to creating sustainable downstream sector, despite the challenges of fixing the refineries and efforts that have made products available to Nigerians.
“We express disappointment in those who have sought to discredit management of NNPCL , suggesting that the calls for Kyari’s removal are orchestrated by individuals benefiting from the previous corrupt practices in the sector.
“We therefore urge President Bola Tinubu to reject their demands because the reforms Kyari has implemented are essential for the continued development of the sector and the nation’s economic stability.
“It is obvious that the motivations behind this protest seem deeply entrenched in personal interest rather than collective welfare. The protests are based on misleading narratives and serve to undermine the significant reforms Kyari has implemented.”
“We stand in firm support of Mele Kyari and appeal to the President not to yield to these unfounded demands,as the nation cannot afford to reverse the gains made in the oil sector.”
Former senator who represented Kaduna Central in the National Assembly, Shehu Sani, has said the Tax reform Bills are not inimical to the North or any part of this country.
According to him , Its economically beneficial and fair to all parts, thus People should keep aside sentiments and read the Bill carefully.
He further said , “There is nowhere in the document where any region will be shortchanged or taxes will be increased or jobs will be lost.Northern Governors should rescind their decision to reject the Bill,take time to read it and make inputs where necessary. NASS must treat this important Bill with all seriousness. JUST READ THE CONTENT OF THE BILL.”
Shehu Sani who posted his opinion about the tax reform bills On his X handle called on Northern governors to accept the tax reform bill presented by President Bola Tinubu and make inputs where necessary instead of raising stiff opposition against the bill.
Reacting to the recent rejection of the bill by the Northern Governors’ Forum (NGF), he posited that the bill will not impact negatively on the North or any part of the country but will rather be economically beneficial and fair to all the regions of the country.
He however, urged the Northern governors to put aside sentiments and read the bill thoroughly, noting that the bill is a comprehensive and bold move to harmonize, simplify tax administration and streamline its operations and enforcement.
His words: “The Tax Reform Bill is not inimical to the North or any part of this country.Its in fact economically beneficial and fair to all parts,” he wrote.
“People should keep aside sentiments and read the Bill carefully.Its a comprehensive and bold move to harmonise and simplify tax administration and streamline it’s operations and enforcement.
“The Bill will actually generate and safeguard more revenue to the states.It will also combat the corruption in the so called tax waivers granted to business cabals.
“There is nowhere in the document where any region will be shortchanged or taxes will be increased or jobs will be lost. Northern Governors should rescind their decision to reject the Bill, take time to read it and make inputs where necessary.
“NASS must treat this important Bill with all seriousness. JUST READ THE CONTENT OF THE BILL”.
Northern Economic Development Forum (NEDF) has allayed fears raised by Northern governors and backed the new tax reforms policies initiated by President Bola Ahmed Bola Tinubu, saying the North will benefit from the reforms.
The Northern Governors had opposed the Tax Reform Bill, and asked the National Assembly to reject it on grounds that it will be against the interest of the people of the northern region
But the northern based development forum ,which expressed optimism about the reforms said, there is no cause for alarm as the proposed Tax laws as it will help to enhance and modernize Nigeria’s tax landscape.
President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Executive Council recently sponsored a bill to restructure and streamline tax processes, establish a unified revenue service, and simplify financial obligations for businesses and citizens.
However in a statement by Northern Economic Development Forum, there is a dire need to study and understand the proposed Bill before attacking it.
While stating that it has as concluded arrangements to mobilises support for the Tax Reform Bills via massive awareness campaign ,it insisted the reforms will engender development of the northern region and entire Nigeria.
The statement signed by Dr Mustapha Ibrahim Gusau explained key aspect of the four bills namely: Nigeria Tax Act; Nigeria Tax Administration Act, Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Act,Nigeria Tax Bill noting that they are initiated to address potential misconceptions.
According to forum, available documents show that the new tax laws will not increase the number of taxes currently in operation, but are designed to optimize existing tax frameworks, not add complexity.
It stated further: “The laws will not increase the rate or percentage of any existing taxes.The intent is to ensure a more equitable distribution of tax obligations without increasing the financial burden on Nigerians.
“The laws will not lead to job losses; instead, they are structured to stimulate new avenues for job creation, supporting a dynamic, growth-oriented economy.
“These laws will not eliminate or absorb the duties of any existing department, agency, or ministry. Rather, they aim to harmonize revenue collection and administration across the federation to drive cohesive and unified financial management.
” The bills will not create additional compliance requirements for small businesses or individual taxpayers. They are aimed at simplifying compliance, particularly for SMEs, and fostering a more inclusive tax environment.
Speaking on its findings, the Forum revealed it will lead to Harmonization of Tax Laws ; Drives Efficiency and Modernization,Simplifies Laws and Ensures Synergy Across Revenue Collection Agencies and Ensures Efficiency in Government Spending and Savings.
” It will also Promotes Transparency and Integrity in Revenue Collected ,Updates Tax Laws to Reflect Present Realities,Aligns with International Standards and Broadens the Tax Base”.
The Forum therefore urged all Nigerians, especially northerners to embrace the reforms without stirring up unnecessary tension .
KANO, Kano State, 26 October 2024. Nigeria is in a state of deep economic and social crisis. It is in a crisis of national survival under president Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Since he assumed office, with the weakest mandate in our national political history, the president has conducted himself like an Emperor dealing with a conquered people. In his first week in office, without consultation, he declared, “subsidy is gone.” And since then petrol pump price has gone up by more than 600 percent. A litre now cost N1,200.
Arrogance of Power
The president has arrogated to himself supreme knowledge of social, economic, and security management of the country. The only actors he seem willing to listen to on the economy are foreign: The IMF and the World Bank, his “thought leaders”, according to the coordinating minister of the economy.
Not only that, the president appears more at home in France and other western capitals than he is in Abuja. He seem more adept at striking deals with foreigners than listening to Nigerian workers and toilers about their sufferings under his harsh economic policy. His usual answer to us is that, ‘I feel your pain, I know you are suffering.’ Sorry, Mr. President, you don’t.
If you did you would have visited our states to see things for yourself, instead of flying to Paris and London. You would have been to the markets and ghettos of our major cities and villages to do on the spot assessment. But we are not your priority. Your priorities are clear: Raising revenue for your government at our expense; and adding to our daily hardships and cost of living pain.
The Neoliberal Dead End
This approach to public economic management in Africa is not new. It is short term thinking that leads to long lasting hardships for our people. The short term goal is to resolve balance of payment and debt management crisis. This is done through the notorious tools perfected by the IMF: Subsidy withdrawal, devaluation, fiscal tightening, high interest rates, wage freeze, commercialisation and privatisation of public assets.
The consequences, as we have experienced since last year, have crippled domestic production, ruined small and medium businesses, propelled food inflation, raise the cost of social services, and put public education beyond low income earners.
Breakdown of Public Administration
This breakdown in public administration affects both the civil and the armed services. The police, civil defence, the department of special services, and the military are all caught up in this crisis of public service delivery- making every citizen insecure and vulnerable, as government is failing in discharging its primary law and order duties. Hence civil service is now part time work, as many workers cannot afford the weekly rounds in their offices. Therefore absenteeism is the new normal. How can this form of dilapidated administration produce development?
The Road to Sudan
This economic and social crisis have put us firmly on the road to Sudan. No exaggeration. Let us in brief recall what happened in that country:
– The government introduced an IMF type austerity measure;
– Food inflation overwhelmed the mass of the people; domestic production collapsed; imports became expensive; poverty became rampant; corruption riddled the political class.
– Citizens protested and government clamped down on them using sponsored thugs and the security forces.
– The government insisted on pursuing its harsh economic reforms, claiming there was no alternative.
– The People mobilised to fight for a better living condition.
– The regime crackdown escalated, leading to an uprising.
– The military intervened but the crisis continued.
– We all know the rest of the story: civil war. State collapse. Millions of Sudanese are now displaced people and refugees. Some are even here in Nigeria. Complex as the issue is, what we outlined here in policy terms were material features manifested in the Sudan before it descended into civil war.
This is a scenario we must do everything to avoid. But here are the worrying signs that makes this press conference necessary.
Tolerance of Ethno-Fascist Threats
As the masses continue to protest against the economic policies of the Tinubu regime across the country, arrests of peaceful protesters is growing, while fascist groups in support of the government are threatening secession, ethnic cleansing, and regional supremacy. Nothing concrete is being done to rein in on these groups, and similar thugs that attacked peaceful protesters in August and after.
Yet the arrests of Pan-Nigerian groups, especially those on the left, that are uniting the people around the struggle for their basic needs continue unabated. What is the message that the government is sending to the country with its double standards? Are we to believe that president Tinubu is more at home with fascist groups such as those led by Igboho that jetted to as far as London to invite the imperialist white man to interfere in our domestic affairs than peaceful protest organisers at home fighting for their survival needs?
Suddenly, regional groupings have proleferated. Some ostensibly pursue humanitarian agenda. Others are bent on carving out ethnic supremacist states out of Nigeria. Who is sponsoring them? Who is tolerating them? Who is financing their expensive trips abroad and across the country?
Both the president and his vice have looked the other way, pretending that nothing serious is happening on the ethno-fascist front under their watch. Their attitude is misplaced. They both need to come out openly to dissociate themselves from, and condemn, these malevolent entities disguised as socio-cultural groups.
Federal Might and State Fightback
We in the NPFM have equally observed worrying trends of persistent federal intrusions into political and customary matters that ordinarily should concern state governments. Kano and Rivers states in particular have been under negative pressures from actors believed to have strong federal backing. This sort of political misbehaviour risk undermining democratic institutions and state stability. The threats from Abuja directed at these state governments is making governance in Rivers and Kano needlessly unstable and prone to violence.
Not only that, Lagos state, a darling of the presidency, has adopted a crypto fascist approach to its dealings with the political opposition. It is flying the indigene versus the non-indigene flag of political convenience to silence all opposition. The president himself alluded to this when he said that no state government has the right to expel non indigenes from its territory.
On the other hand, in Kano state, a residual customary issue such as emirate council appointment has been capitalised upon by pro-federal actors to engineer a stalemate that has crippled emirate council administration in the state.
So too was the local government election in the state turned into a federal versus state struggle that is still unfolding and may replicate the situation in Rivers where federal statutory allocations to the state for local governments are hanging in the balance due to contrived litigations. This can only make a bad local government system desperate for development worse.
In all cases it is the invisible hand of federal might that has exacerbated the situation and destabilised the unfavoured states in order to foist an agenda on them that is favourable to the president’s party, pre-positioning it for the next general election. This pattern of behaviour risk spiralling into mindless political violence that can upset the entire fragile constitutional order.
The Real Issue: National Survival
The NPFM is urging Nigerians to beware of the manipulation of ethnic, religious and regional identities perfected by regime agents to divert us from the real threats to our daily survival that they have imposed on us through their exploitative economic policy. This remain: The high cost of petrol, electricity, interest rates, and governance; and the wide gap between the rich and the poor engineered through public policy and class exploitation.
The fact is that president Tinubu is taking Nigeria to the edge of a political and economic cliff. If this trend is not stopped via peoples power, it will be too late for the country to recover. How can anyone explain his obsession with the 1960s: Returning us back to a national anthem written for us by a white face; trying to take us back to regionalism; and a parliamentary form of government, as if these are the dire needs of the people. They are not.
The issues that the president is avoiding are: Re-nationalisation of the NNPC(L) and electricity DISCOs; and the abandonment of his primitive neoliberal Economic model for an alternative national economic transformation program that we the people can co-construct with progressive minded state policy actors.
TUC and NLC: Reject Co-optation, Embrace Workers Unity
But as the president declared on October 1, 2024, he is going to engage in a massive privatisation exercise, which informed his co-optive gestures towards the Nigeria Labout Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC). The object is to legitimise his draconian economic program and create mass buy-in among the working class for his compressed natural gas (CNG) project.
This will transition the entire public transport system from its current fuel based energy source, making the gas tycoon monopolist the sole controller of public movement in the country. How is this in the national interest?
The NPFM is calling on the working class to unite and resist the coming privatisation exercise. We must not allow the regime to consolidate its hold over what remain of our national assets. This brazen capture of state resources by a few hands is a glaring violation of Chapter 2 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
We call on the working and toiling people to organise and resist this agenda before Nigeria is completely turned into a Mafia state, if it is not already.
Power Outage in the North
As we address you today, 17 Northern states out of 19 are in total darkness as a result of cumulative grand corruption, sabotage, and armed vandalisation of major electricity transmission lines. We had witnessed a similar blackout in the North-East about three months ago. And no decisive action was taken by the regime to prevent a repeat of this crime.
The men in power care not. Typically, they are reactive, but never proactive. They did not learn the appropriate lessons from previous vandalisation of sensitive transmission lines to the region. As there is no accountability for poor performance or criminal violence by powerful rogue actors to create billion of dollars in repairs contracts. To them it is business as usual. It is how bandit capitalism operates. That is why we were not surprised when the minister of power had the audacity to promise us that there will be light in two weeks time. Incredible! What are we supposed to do before then? No alternative. Same like the president’s economic policy. No alternative.
Why should we keep quiet in the face of such acute national emergency? Why should we not resist a regime that can be so callous and careless with the lives and livelihoods of over 130 million people? To stay mum in these circumstances is to partake in our own subjugation. We hope no one is contemplating the privatisation of the electricity transmission company of Nigeria? If so, we will stop it by any legitimate means at our disposal. Buyer beware.
And we call for an independent investigation of all contracts awarded in the power sector from 1999 to the present. This will reveal the real vested interests that have crippled the power sector, to which the incessant terrorist attacks on the transmission lines is an added criminality. Let us know the firms that will fix the damaged transmission lines in two weeks time and how much they are paid. We want full disclosure.
Land and Mineral Resource Grab for Capital
Already, powerful politicians, land speculators, and big business interests are mapping out mineral zones and fertile lands across the country for what will amount to internal colonisation. Mineral rich areas of states such as Bauchi, Kogi, Nassarawa, Niger, and Zamfara have become prime targets for privatisation, with more and more villagers being displaced under the pretext of protecting public interest.
But the reality, as we all know, is that peasant lands are being grabbed for private gain. This rent seeking land grab on a grand scale across the mineral and agro-rich areas of the country is already triggering peasant protests in the north, a phenomenon that is likely to escalate into uncontrollable violence in due course.
Niger Delta: The state abuse of oil wells, pipeline management contracts, gas flaring, and artisanal petroleum activities in the Niger Delta is already well known. What is emerging now are the massive intrusions of political oil and gas merchants pushing for all manner of privatisations in the oil and gas sector without taking community interests into consideration. It is as if the oil and gas rich communities do no exist. Privatisation, we must emphasise, is not resource control, it is not community ownership, it is resource colonisation by rich families. It has nothing to do with public interest. It is private interest and private property. Same with the interest of Shell, Agip, and the rest.
Conference of Patriots and Left Unity
The NPFM is therefore using this opportunity to invite Nigerian patriots, especially those on the left, to a November 2024 national conference on the ‘Survival of Nigeria under bandit capitalism’. The sub-themes, date, and venue of the conference will be disclosed later. It is high time that we organise and raise the stakes of the struggle of the people for a future without bandit capitalists in charge of our lives. That future is possible if we push for social transformation in unity for the common good. Only determined and committed patriots can fulfill this mission for development, freedom and social justice in Nigeria.
Signed:
Comrade Abdulmajid Yakubu Daudu,
Chairman, NPFM
For: The Nigeria Pstriotic Front Movement Secretariat
The Sabon-Gari Market Shop Owners and Online Marketers Association in Kano State has filed a petition accusing certain officers of the Nigeria Customs Service of extortion, harassment, and unlawful impoundment of goods and vehicles intended for delivery to northern Nigeria.
The association argues that their goods are locally manufactured, procured from Lagos—particularly the Alaba Market—and transported by hired carriers to Kano.
These goods, they claim, do not fall under the category of contraband or items subject to customs duties.
In a petition submitted through their legal counsel, A.A. Hikima Esq, the association disclosed that for every truckload of goods from Lagos to Kano, they are compelled to pay up to N500,000 per truck.
They explained that the demand for illegal payments reportedly begins at the point of loading in Lagos and continues through various checkpoints in Kaduna and Zaria, culminating in Kano.
The petition specifically names Customs officers, including OC Bello at Alaba Market in Lagos, Officer Jaji in Kaduna, OC Operation Alkali in Kano, and two officers from Kaduna’s Federal Operations Unit, Afemi and Abbas.
The statement reads, “We, as counsel for the Sabon-Gari Market Shop Owners and Online Marketers Association, write this petition to formally bring to your attention the ongoing and systemic extortion, harassment, and arbitrary seizure of goods and vehicles faced by our clients at the hands of certain officers of the Nigeria Customs Service.
“Our clients are primarily local goods transporters and traders, engaged in the lawful transport of non-dutiable goods, including cosmetics, solar equipment, bulbs, and bicycles. These goods are procured from Lagos, particularly the Alaba Market, and are transported by hired carriers to Kano. We wish to emphasize that these goods are locally manufactured and do not fall under the category of contraband items or those subject to customs duties.”
Hikima explained that the transportation of these goods, which is facilitated through trailers and J5 buses, has increasingly become marred by extortion and harassment from customs officers stationed at various points, particularly in Lagos, Kaduna, and Kano.
“This harassment has escalated over the past two years, disrupting our clients’ operations, resulting in significant financial losses, and undermining their ability to conduct legitimate business,” it reads.
According to the association, for every vehicle-load of good to Kano from Lagos, they are forced to pay as high as N500,000 per truck.
“This demand for illegal payments begins at the point of loading in Lagos and continues through various checkpoints in Kaduna and Zaria, before culminating in Kano. These incidents have rendered our clients’ business financially unsustainable, as profits are almost entirely eroded by such extortion,” it reads.
Through their counsel, Hikima, the association identified specific officers allegedly involved in the incidents: Lagos (Alaba Market), OC Bello, Kaduna, Officer Jaji, Kano, OC Operation Alkali, Kaduna (FOU Unit), Afemi and Abbas.
He said, “On one occasion in August, a trailer transporting goods was impounded without any grounds. After extensive verification with no incriminating evidence, N2,190,000 was paid to secure release. Our clients have all the necessary evidence to back up this claim.”
Hikima noted that one officer named Abbas from the Kaduna command also collected further demanded N1,050,000 to release goods after arbitrary detention.
“Meanwhile, another customs officer named Abubakar Isa from Kano FOU Unit recently extorted N400,000 for two trucks after an unnecessary search and clearance.
“This and many more instances left our clients businesses and thousands of workers who make a living from them, a serious financial hurdle forcing some of the business to close.
“Our client further state that prior to these past two years, our clients have operated for over a decade without incidents of this nature,” Hikima stated.
However, the association wants the Nigeria Customs Service authority to conduct a thorough investigation into the incidents, specifically addressing the involvement of the named officers and to implement disciplinary measures against the officers found culpable of extortion and harassment.
They also want the Nigeria Customs Service to issue clear directives to customs personnel at all checkpoints to cease such unlawful practices and respect the rights of lawful business operators.
“Facilitate a mechanism for monitoring and addressing future grievances promptly to prevent further financial harm to our clients, upon proof and establishment of the funds extorted, a full refund of all the monies unlawfully collected from our clients.
“We trust that the Nigeria Customs Service will uphold its mandate to promote lawful business and deter officers from engaging in activities that violate the rights of Nigerian citizens.
“Our clients are prepared to provide additional evidence and testimony to substantiate the claims made herein. We await your prompt action to restore their confidence in the Nigeria Customs Service as a fair and just institution,” Hikima added.
Senator Shehu Sani has described as most unfortunate and shameful for country’s democracy, the arrangement and participation of minors in protest.
The former lawmaker,who represented Kaduna Central Senatorial zone in the 8th Senate however, urged the federal government to withdraw the charges against them and return them to their states .
Senator Shehu Sani who is also a human rights activist stated this via his X handle today .
His words : “The arrangement of those minors for their participation in protest is most unfortunate and shameful for our country’s democracy.The FG should withdraw the charges against them and return them back to their states.”
“The visiting journalists haven assessed these gigantic achievements called on the Federal government to partner seriously with the present leadership in the institution, because of it’s beautiful and transforming programmes that deserves commendation”.
Investigation conducted by teaming journalists has shown that significant achievements have been achieved in federal college of Agriculture, under the present administration of Dr. Muhammad Yusha’u Gwaram.
A team of journalists concerned with the development of education particularly in the North visited the institute in kano state, were they assess the achievements made so far under the able leadership of Dr. Yusha’u.
with simple view to encourage the leadership and for others to emulate “FEDERAL COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE TECHNOLOGY”, a learning institute with difference”.
The investigative reporting conducted by the journalists, has shown that one of the gigantic achievements recorded was employment and deployment of additional qualified academic and non academic staff.
This no doubt will help in meeting up the demand of qualified staff in the institute.
The achievements recorded so far in the institution (FCAPT KANO ), is highly commendable.
For an institution of this magnitude to achieve the required success staffing is vital to this situation.
Similarly, investigation has shown that additional commitment was made by the leadership of the institution engaged sponsorship in training, conferences, and workshops with a view to boost academic excellence, whereby many academic staff enjoyed.
The leadership of the institute engaged in regular promotion of staff.
Dr. Yusha’u Gwaram’s emergence as substantive Provost in 2020 by the immediate-past President Muhammadu Buhari, has brought serenity by setting new path for the institution looking at the infrastructural and academic development his administration has recorded in the last two years, is a big development and testimony.
Also, to meet the standard of a developed learning institute that can compete with others globally, Dr. Yusha’u Gwaram was able to recruit more than 200 newly appointed staff both academic and non-academic.
Further investigation conducted by the visiting journalists, discovered that many projects were put in place by the present leadership of the College (institution), through IGR. Few are infrastructural developments, etc.
Disciplines and academic performances are the core of our today’s education.
However, our findings clearly showed that the Provost ( DR. YUSHA’U GWARAM) inculcate discipline among the staff and the students, encouraged in controlling students behaviour which boost their morals and general academic performance.
The visiting journalists haven assessed these gigantic achievements called on the Federal government to partner seriously with the present leadership in the institution, because of it’s beautiful and transforming programmes that deserves commendation.
REACH-24 