Niger
Outrage as Suleja Council makes U-turn, Imposes N1m Levy on sale of beer in Suleja
***We are not aware of any N1million Levy- Liquor license board
After days of intrigue, controversy and denial over the ban on the sales and consumption of alcohol in Suleja local government area of Niger State, beer parlour operators in Suleja town, the headquarters of the council and environs have been asked to pay N1million as Levy to enable them carry out their business.
Already a Taskforce for the collection of the N1million Levy has been put in place by the council and no fewer than 10 operators were said to have complied with the new directives by the council.
They have equally been given the go ahead to open their beer parlours for business while those who are yet to comply have been told not to operate.
This is coming barely few days after the Council Chairman Alhaji Isiyaku Bawa Naibi vowed to enforce the ban on the sales and consumption of alcohol in his Council area.
But the secretary of the state liquor and license board, Mallam Ibrahim Mohammed while speaking with our correspondent in his office in Minna denied knowledge of any Levy being imposed on beer parlour operators in Suleja.
He pointed out that the board which is the regulatory body on the sales and consumption of alcohol in the state has not mandated any individual or group to collect any Levy from beer parlour operators on it behalf.
Mallam Ibrahim disclosed that procedures for the renewal of liquor license in the state has been that every operator pays the required fees directly to the designated bank and forward evidence of payment to board for an official receipt.
“The board is not aware of this N1million Levy and it has not mandated any individual or group to collect any Levy from beer parlour operators on its behalf”, he added.
However, the Taskforce, our correspondent reliably gathered, is headed by a former coordinator/monitor of the state liquor and license board, one Mr. Bash, popularly referred to as “Bash Intelligent”.
Although when contacted, Bash denied collecting money from any beer parlour operators in Suleja and it’s environs, adding that he parted ways with the state liquor and license board since 2022 as it’s monitor in charge of Suleja adding that since then he had no dealings with the board or its activities.
Bash claimed to be a politician who campaign for the emergence of the state Governor Rt Hon. Umar Mohammed Bago in the 2023 election pointed out that he is not aware of any N1million Levy as this was a calculated attempt to Tanish his image.
But one of the beer parlour operators who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity revealed that they were asked to bring N1million each to enable them operate, stressing that the money was being paid to the said Bash.
He disclosed that they were asked to bring the money in cash as any electric payment was not allowed, saying that “we were not equally given any receipt as evidence of payment. We only gave the names of our beer parlour after payment and you are asked to go.
“As I speak with you now, (Friday evening) 10 operators have paid the N1million each to Bash and his group. I paid my own N1million in a popular eatery in Suleja because they called me to meet them there.
“They told us that they will not accept any bank transaction and that the money should be brought to them in cash after which they will write the name of your beer parlour or hotel and asked you to go and open for business”, he added
Also another beer parlour operator who equally did not want his name in print because of victimization, confirmed the payment of the N1million Levy imposed on them but said he was yet to pay his own as he was still gathering the money.
He however stated further that some of their members have refused to make the payment because of lack of evidence of payment and no issuance of receipt after payment.
Such members, he added are not allowed to operate until they meet the N1million demand.
When asked if there was any formal correspondence between the beer parlour operators and the local government or the state liquor and license board on the payment of the N1million, he said “no letter from the local government to that effect but we believe that the man in question is working closely with the council chairman.
“We are very familiar with him because he used to work with the liquor and license board in Suleja here. He usually collects liquor license fees on behalf of the board, so when he came and said the council said we should pay N1million Levy, people believed him.
“As we speak, the beer parlours that are operating right now are those that have paid their N1million Levy. That is the situation right now in Suleja here, we don’t know what to do”.
Recall that the Chairman of the council, Alhaji Ishaku Bawa, had insisted that his council will continue to enforce the law banning the sales and consumption of beer and other related breverages in the area, saying that there is an existing law backing his decision.
The Chairman said his Council is merely enforcing an existing law which has been in operation before the coming of the present administration in the state and therefore vowed to enforce it within the ambit of the existing liquor law in the state.
According to him, the law banning the sales and consumption of alcohol in the state had been in existence since 2001 during administration of the late former governor of the state, Engineer Abdulkadir Kure, adding that “Suleja local government did not ban the sales of alcohol, the law banning sales of alcohol has being in existence before now.
“We are therefore only working within the ambit of the law and what we are saying is that, those selling alcohol should operate within the ambit of the law,” he said.
The Chairman’s position is contrary to that of the state Governor Umar Mohammed Bago who on the heels of the controversy sorrounding the ban on the sales of alcohol in Suleja said that the government had ordered ban on the sales and consumption of alcohol in any part of the state.
The Governor had a statement made it Categorically clear that the government did not order any ban on the sales and consumption of alcohol in the state as that was not the immediate priority of his administration.
The State Governor strongly denied that the Government has imposed any ban on alcohol sales and consumption in any specific areas in the state, especially Suleja local government area as such decision will amount to a distraction to his administration’s renewed hope agenda.
The government dismissed as baseless such assertions, saying that the Governor never issued any directive nor ordered any of it agencies to enforce the ban of alcoholic drinks in any part of the state.
The governor further pointed out that the statement attributed to the Secretary of the Niger State Liquor and Licensing Board, Ibrahim Mohammed, did not emanate from the government, adding that no such board has been formed under his administration.
while Emphasizing the commitment of his administration to safeguard citizens’ fundamental rights, including freedom of religion, the governor assured residents that such misleading information holds no merit in the policies of his government and therefore urged citizens to continue their lawful activities without undue concern.
“The public and media are urged to disregard such announcements and seek clarification from authorized government officials for accurate information”, the statement added.
All attempts to get the reaction of the Council Chairman on this development was not successful as his mobile phone number could not be reached as he put it on permanent busy.
***Governor Bago Signs Electricity Bill into Law
By Our Correspondent, Minna
The Niger State Government(NGSG)has announced plans to convert the iconic Gurara Waterfalls into a hydro-electric dam as part of its strategy to achieve independent power generation.
Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago disclosed this during a meeting with key stakeholders and council members at Gawu Babangida, headquarters of Gurara Local Government Area, during his statewide project monitoring tour.
According to the governor, the hydro-electric project will position Gurara Local Government Area as an electricity-generating hub, enhancing economic activities and creating employment opportunities for the youth.
This development is coming after the recent assent to the Niger State Electricity Bill by Governor Bago at the Council Chamber of the Government House in Minna.
The legislation, known as “The Niger State Power Sector Law 2024,” establishes frameworks for independent power generation and distribution within the state.
The law provides for the creation of the Niger State Electricity Regulatory Commission, Niger State Electricity Company and
Niger State Electricity Agency
It also covers various aspects of intra-state electricity, including generation, transmission, trading, distribution, retail supply, rural electrification, and the establishment of a state electricity market.
Operations under the new law commenced on December 19, 2024.
Governor Bago emphasized the strategic importance of Gurara Local Government Area, citing its vast potentials.
He assured stakeholders that his administration is committed to fully harnessing these opportunities for the benefit of the people.
Other planned projects in the area included an additional 5-kilometer road in Izom, Completion of the 45-kilometer Izom-Gwagwalada road connecting the Federal Capital Territory, Development of the Gurara Games Resort and Construction of a ₦120 million modern trailer park to ease traffic on the Minna-Suleja road.
Others are the provision of potable water through partnerships and the Establishment of a green energy park under a tripartite arrangement.
Deputy Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Afiniki Dauda, and Gurara Council Chairman, Abdul-Halim Abubakar, commended Governor Bago for his commitment to developing the area.
They expressed gratitude for the ongoing projects and pledged their support for the administration’s initiatives.
The ambitious plan aligns with Niger State’s broader goals of enhancing energy security, driving economic growth, and improving the livelihoods of its citizens.
***Governor Bago Condoles with Families of Victims
Over 60 people were killed in a tragic explosion early Saturday morning at the popular Dikko Junction along the Abuja-Kaduna highway in Gurara Local Government Area, Niger State.
An eyewitness reported that the petrol tanker, traveling from Lagos to a northern state, became stuck on a bad section of the road at the junction. While attempting to navigate the spot, the tanker overturned, spilling its highly flammable contents.
Disaster struck when local youths, attempting to scoop fuel from the overturned tanker, were caught in a massive explosion. The fire claimed the lives of many scoopers, passersby, and motorists. Vehicles, motorcycles, shops, and other properties worth millions of naira were also destroyed.
Several people sustained varying degrees of burns and are currently receiving treatment at a government healthcare facility in the area.
Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago expressed shock and sadness over the incident.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, the governor described the frequent occurrence of fuel tanker accidents in the state as heartbreaking.
He extended his condolences to the families of the victims and prayed for the repose of the deceased while wishing the injured a speedy recovery. The governor directed relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to respond swiftly to the disaster.
Governor Bago also urged security agencies to ensure the safety of the affected area and called on residents to prioritize their safety and avoid risky behavior.
This incident is the latest in a series of recurring fuel tanker explosions in Niger State, which have claimed over 100 lives and destroyed properties worth hundreds of millions of naira since 2019.
In 2019 alone, three major tanker explosions occurred, resulting in significant loss of lives and property.
A similar disaster in May 2019 at the same Dikko Junction killed 26 people, destroyed 35 shops, and burned 19 vehicles.
Between July and October 2020, three more tanker-related explosions further devastated the state.
In response to these frequent tragedies, former Governor Alhaji Sani Bello proposed banning fuel tankers from state highways, threatening violators with fines or jail terms.
However, the law was never implemented before the end of his tenure in 2023.
This latest disaster highlights the urgent need for stricter measures to prevent such incidents and ensure the safety of road users in Niger State.
Niger State Governor, Umaru Mohammed Bago, has made a significant policy shift aimed at improving educational access for children in the state by abolishing the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) levies in public schools.
This move is part of a broader strategy to ease the financial burdens on families and encourage higher enrollment rates, particularly for girls.
The Governor made the declaration on Thursday in Sarkin Pawa, Munya Local Government Area, during his ongoing tour of developmental projects in the region.
He stated that the state government would now fully assume responsibility for the PTA levies, which have traditionally been a financial challenge for many parents.
Governor Bago’s initiative focuses not just on reducing the financial barriers to education, but also on promoting gender equality in school enrollment. The governor urged parents to prioritize sending their children, especially girls, to school, making it clear that school uniforms should no longer be a reason to keep children out of school.
“Uniforms should never stop a child from attending school. If a child is sent back home because of a lack of uniform, that teacher will face the consequences,” Bago warned.
He emphasized that children could attend classes in personal clothing if necessary, as the government works to remove obstacles to education.
In addition to the policy change on PTA levies, Bago assured the public that the state government was committed to improving school infrastructure and access to education for all.
He stressed that the government would continue to cover the PTA levies, making education more affordable for families.
This step is seen as a direct effort to increase the enrollment rate, particularly for marginalized groups like girls.
While addressing local residents and community leaders, Governor Bago also highlighted the government’s ongoing efforts to improve the region’s infrastructure.
He announced plans to complete the long-awaited road project connecting Sarkin Pawa to Kaduna State, as well as the construction of new public markets, potable water sources, and healthcare facilities for the people of Munya.
In addition to the educational reforms, local leaders praised the governor’s commitment to improving security in the area. Aminu Najumi, Chairman of Munya Local Government, noted that the region had seen substantial progress in recent months, with security forces providing a sense of safety and restoring confidence among residents.
Governor Bago’s initiatives are already beginning to show results, with local leaders acknowledging the significant reduction in banditry and improved conditions for development.
By eliminating PTA levies and focusing on inclusive educational policies, Governor Bago is not only addressing immediate financial burdens but also laying the groundwork for a more prosperous and equal future for Niger State’s children.
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