News from Niger State
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.
News from Niger State
Niger Senator, Stakeholders Commend Works Ministe for Minna-Suleja Road Contract Revocation
Senator Mohammed Sani Musa of Niger East Senatorial District has praised the decision of Works Minister David Umahi to revoke the stalled contract for the dualization of the 83-kilometer Minna-Suleja road, calling the move a “long-overdue intervention” in Niger State.
In a statement released Monday in Minna, Senator Musa highlighted that the contract, initially awarded in 2010 to Salini Nigeria Construction Company, had seen minimal progress despite the road’s deteriorating condition, which has led to frequent accidents and fatalities. According to Musa, Umahi’s decision offers renewed hope to the people of Niger State and showcases the minister’s commitment to fulfilling President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s National Road Master Plan under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“The Minister has taken a decisive step to address an urgent issue that has troubled the people of Niger State for over a decade,” Musa stated. “This revocation represents a commitment to ensure effective project delivery for the benefit of our communities.”
Senator Musa, who also chairs the Senate Committee on Finance, noted that Minister Umahi recently convened a meeting with key stakeholders in Abuja to discuss challenges impeding 10 federal road projects across Niger State. During the meeting, former Niger State Governor Rt. Hon. Mohammed Umar Bago presented updates on each project, highlighting specific delays and the need for improved contractor performance.
Musa commended Minister Umahi’s firm stance on accountability, stating that the minister reprimanded underperforming contractors and staff within the ministry. Umahi reportedly warned that anyone found hindering project progress would face disciplinary action, including possible referrals to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
In a proactive response, Minister Umahi ordered the redesign and re-awarding of the Suleja-Lambatta-Minna road (Phases 1 & 2) and directed the contractor for the Bida-Lapai-Lambatta road to immediately resume work from the Bida-Lapai axis. Additionally, the minister committed to securing more funds for the Mokwa-Makera-Tegina road project in the 2025 budget.
Other local leaders, including APC chieftain and former Niger State Commissioner for Information Jonathan Vatsa, applauded President Tinubu’s administration for prioritizing infrastructure needs in the state. Vatsa contrasted this approach with the previous administration, stating that “despite strong support for President Buhari, Niger State saw little progress in essential areas like road development. President Tinubu’s actions are giving us hope.”
Senator Musa acknowledged the strong leadership of Governor Umar Bago, who, along with the state’s federal representatives, has worked closely with the Federal Ministry of Works to ensure that federal road projects in Niger are prioritized and meet quality standards. Musa concluded by urging the people of Niger State to support these developments, which he described as a turning point for road infrastructure in the region.
***says contractor lacks capacity
From John Adams, Minna
Niger state Governor, Mohammed Umar Bago has urged the Federal Government to revoke the contract for the Suleja-Minna road awarded to Salini Nigeria Limited since 2010, saying that the contractor lacks the necessary capacity to undertake the project.
The governor made the call in Minna on Wednesday during a Town Hall Meeting/Stakeholders Engagement on the construction of the 125KM:3- Lanes Single Carriage (Niger State Component) of the 1,068KM Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway.
The Governor while addressing the gathering explained that the call to terminate the contract had become expedien as it is clear that the company, Salini Nigeria Limited does not have the capacity to execute the road project effectively.
He observed that after 14 years the 83km road contract was awarded, only about 35 percent of the job has been achieved hence he demanded that the contract be terminated.
According to the governor, “I will look at this company in the face and say, Salini has failed, and the company doesn’t have the capacity.
We are calling on the Minister to revoke the contract and award it to Hi-Tech Construction Company or CCECC to handle, just like the way the Abuja-Kano road was revoked from Julius Berger recently”.
He also used the occasion to appeal to the federal government to refund monies invested by the Niger state Government to rehabilitate federal roads in the state, adding that “We have put in the State’s resources into the federal government roads project in Niger state and we are asking for refund. We did it because we have the same aspirations and dream with the federal government”.
Earlier, the Minister of Works, Senator Engr. Nweze David Umahi decried the poor state of federal roads in the state as well as others across the nation, saying that
“Many of these federal projects were awarded dating back to 2010 and have remained incomplete and abandoned by successive administrations”
On the Minna-Suleja road, the minister threatened to take a decisive action against the contractor handling the road project because of the obvious reason that it lacked the capacity to execute the work.
“The company cannot continue to collect money from the federal government for over 10 years without executing the project. I was initially told that work on Minna-Suleja road has reached 86℅.
“However, when I traveled on the road to Minna, I noticed nothing has been done, yet the contractor keeps collecting money on it”, he stated.
“The Bida-Lapai-Lambata Road is still at 64% completion despite awarding the contract over a decade ago.
“Presently, quality infrastructure and timely project completion are priorities for both state and federal stakeholders”.
Speaking on the importance of the stakeholders meeting, which focused on constructing the 125-kilometer, three-lane, single-carriageway Niger State segment of the larger 1,068-kilometer Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway, the minister said, “The Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway is a federal road that will pass through several states, including Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Ogun, Oyo, and Lagos, with 125 kilometers of the highway to be constructed in Niger State”.
Furthermore, various stakeholders who spoke during the town hall meeting on behalf of the communities affected by the Niger state component of the Sokoto-Badagry road project called on the federal government to ensure that compensations are duly paid to the people while pledging their support for the success of the project.
The National Examinations Council (NECO) has countered reports circulating on social media alleging that it owes allowances to 72,138 external examiners who worked on the 2024 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE).
NECO’s Acting Director of Information, Mallam Azeez Sani, in a statement issued in Minna on Wednesday clarified that the council has fully settled all outstanding payments to examiners as of Wednesday, November 13, 2024.
Mallam Sani explained that the payment process, which began on October 4, 2024, required meticulous reconciliation to prevent errors and delays. He noted that some examiners had initially submitted incorrect bank details, causing minor delays that were quickly resolved.
In addition, the council pointed out that “it was discovered in the process that some Examiners submitted incorrect bank details, which the Council has reconciled with the affected examiners.
All 24 banks involved in the payment process have now been cleared.
The statement added that “NECO has completed the payment of the examiners allowances as at today Wednesday 13th November, 2024 according to the payment plan of the Council”.
Mallam Azeez therefore described as incorrect and false insinuation in the social media that the Council has deliberately refused to pay Examiners engaged in the conduct of the 2024 SSCE Internal their allowance.
“The Management advice that any person(s) engaged by the Council should seek clarification/explanation from it, on matters oblivious to them before resorting to the Media
“NECO wishes to reassure its esteemed Examiners and other ad-hoc Staff that the Council cherishes their invaluable contributions to the effective conduct of its examination and will therefore not take their renumeration for granted”.
It could be recalled that some social media platform had alleged that the examinations body was indebted to 72,138 Examiners that were engaged as ad-hoc Staff in the just released 2024 School-based Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) for the payment of their allowance.
Mallam Sani reassured NECO’s commitment to timely and respectful payment practices for all its ad-hoc staff, emphasizing the council’s appreciation for their essential role in the successful administration of the examination.
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