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Mobile Courts On Street Trading In PH Begin Sitting, Today …Wike Assures Traders Of Conducive Business Environment …Residents Hail Gov On Clean City Initiative
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has stated that the mobile courts for the Task Force on Street Trading, Illegal Markets and Motor Parks would become operational, today.
Addressing operatives of the Task Force on Street Trading, Illegal Markets and Motor Parks at the Government House, Port Harcourt, yesterday, Wike said that the Magistrates would be deployed to the various locations, today.
The governor said: “From tomorrow (today), Magistrates will sit at the various locations to prosecute offenders of the law banning street trading.
“Your business is to arrest the offenders in line with the law and take them to the magistrates for trial. Anyone that is guilty will be sanctioned by the Magistrates”.
He warned the operatives of the task force against taking laws into their hands, stressing that the state government would not tolerate them manhandling any offender.
Wike said that the ultimate goal of the exercise was to ensure that there were no street traders in Port Harcourt and that illegal motor parks were closed.
“We don’t want to see any street traders anywhere in Port Harcourt. Your duty is to ensure that the streets are clean.
“Those selling corn and other items on the roads should also leave. If you want to be a trader, kindly move into the markets”, he advised.
He noted that a committee has been established to monitor the activities of the task force, and warned that where there are infractions, the operatives would be sanctioned.
The governor warned the operatives against harassing people for money, warning that any operative indicted for seeking bribe would be sacked.
He regretted that some operatives don’t go to their duty posts, and explained that modalities have been put in place to fish out such truant operatives.
The governor charged the operatives to shun acts that would attract negative publicity to the task force, stressing that all eyes were on them, hence they must remain focused on their legal responsibilities.
He said that he called the emergency meeting basically to appreciate the operatives for their excellent performance, and charged them to perform better.
Wike assured that additional 450 personnel would be employed, while more vehicles would be handed over to the task force.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Government has restated its commitment to provide an enabling environment that would promote business activities, just as it urged traders to be brand ambassadors by portraying the state in positive light in all their dealings.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim, who led a team of directors of the ministry, stated this during an advocacy visit to the leadership of the Rivers State Traders Association in Port Harcourt.
He said traders as key stakeholders were better disposed to contribute to the development of the state by promoting the ideals and values of the state, noting that the Rivers State was peaceful and safe for investments.
Nsirim stated that traders have critical role to play in the development agenda of the current administration, noting that the construction of the Fruit Garden, Mile One phase one and two markets as well as the Rumuokoro ultra-modern markets were eloquent testimonies of the government’s resolve to ensure that businesses thrive.
He further said that the compensation to traders of the fire incident at the Fruit Garden Market was a demonstration that Governor Nyesom Wike attaches premium to the welfare of traders and business owners in the state.
“We want everybody leaving and doing business in Rivers State to know that the state belongs to us, and that when the state is prospering, our businesses will prosper.
“The truth of the matter is that there are people who are making our state not look like what God has created it to be. They will go to the media; they will go outside the state, and say all sorts of bad things about Rivers State.
“These will make people to run away from the state and making people not to come and do business here. But as you know, the person who is selling Garri in the market will make more profit if more people are leaving and doing business in Port Harcourt and other parts of the state.
“So, we have introduced a campaign that we have tagged ‘Our State, Our Responsibility’,” Nsirim explained, just as he solicited the support of the traders to support the policies and programmes of the government.
He also urged them to collaborate with the state government, especially in the on-going enforcement exercise of illegal street trading, illegal markets and motor parks in the state, pointing out that henceforth, anyone caught flouting government directive would be prosecuted.
Nsirim also urged the traders to support the government in the fight against crime by reporting criminal elements to security agencies.
Responding, the President General, Rivers State Traders Association, Comrade Victor Bekwele, commended Governor Nyesom Wike for his infrastructural and human capital development across the state.
Bekwele specifically lauded the governor for the construction of world-class markets for traders in the state; even as he thanked the Information and Communications Ministry for promoting peace and development of the state through its advocacy campaign.
He pledged the support and loyalty of the traders to the WIke-led government, and expressed happiness that it was the first time the association was receiving officials of government in its secretariat.
According to Bekwele, “We thank God for this visit and for the campaign. It is our state and it is our responsibility. Let nobody represent us in disguise. This is the first time we are receiving government officials in our secretariat.
“We are very happy and I must tell you that by this visit, our one year in office is successful. The traders in Rivers State are happy with Governor Wike, and we are ready to work with him anywhere, anytime,” he said, stating that the association was against street trading, hence it would support the task force set up to rid the streets of illegal traders and illegal motor parks to succeed.
Also, some residents of Port Harcourt City have expressed delight at the clean state of Port Harcourt, just one week into the operation of the task force on street trading.
Some of the residents, who spoke to our correspondent, rated the impact made so far very high, and commended the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, for the initiative.
A resident of Ojoto Street in Mile111 Diobu, Chief Noah Joseph, said he was surprised at the high success recorded by the task force within a short period of its existence.
“I am quite happy, and I want to commend Governor Nyesom Wike. I want to commend the chairman and members of the task force on street trading for making us proud.
“I sincerely believe in clean Port Harcourt, but you see with the lack of political will by past administrations that tried it and failed, I doubted the success of the exercise.
“But two days into the exercise, I returned from the village where I travelled to, behold, it was a new city, I saw. I pray that the task force sustains the success and possibly improve on it”, he said.
Another respondent, Pastor Emmanuel Uwa, rated the task force high in its effort, and urged them not to relent.
“Governor Nyesom Wike has again shown that with determination, any government can achieve whatever good thing it desires for the people.
“Kudos to the governor, kudos to the task force members and kudos to the residents of Port Harcourt City for their cooperation, which made it possible for the initiative to record such a wonderful feat in such a short period”.
Speaking in similar vein, a trader at the Mile 1 Market, Chinonso Ekwunife, said the initiative has transformed Port Harcourt back to a clean city.
“I am very happy that all the cluster of dirt, illegal parks that used to be everywhere, especially along lkwerre Road are no more.
She stated that at the initial period, there was doubt that operators of the task force would be influenced by bribe, but rather than that, they displayed strong commitment, and urged them to continue in such a spirit.
Another respondent, Godknows Uche, said he could not believe that such areas as Rumuokoro, Mile 111 Park vicinity, Waterlines could be so clean and with no traffic obstructions.
“I sincerely thank the governor for the good result. It means that the decade long slogan of restoring Port Harcourt to back to its Garden City status could become a reality.
“What is important is to sustain the success so far recorded because those who benefit from the illegalities may not be resting. Continue to pursue the initiative without compromise”, he added.
Taneh Beemene, Dennis Naku, Chris Oluoh
President Bola Tinubu yesterday signed into law four tax reform bills aimed at transforming Nigeria’s fiscal and revenue framework.
The four bills include: the Nigeria Tax Bill, the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill.
They were passed by the National Assembly after months of consultations with various interest groups and stakeholders.
The ceremony took place at the Presidential Villa, yesterday.
The ceremony was witnessed by the leadership of the National Assembly and some legislators, governors, ministers, and aides of the President.
The presidency had earlier stated that the laws would transform tax administration in the country, increase revenue generation, improve the business environment, and give a boost to domestic and foreign investments.
“When the new tax laws become operational, they are expected to significantly transform tax administration in the country, leading to increased revenue generation, improved business environment, and a boost in domestic and foreign investments,” Special Adviser to the President on Media, Bayo Onanuga said on Wednesday.
Before the signing of the four bills, President Tinubu had earlier yesterday, said the tax reform bills will reset Nigeria’s economic trajectory and simplify its complex fiscal landscape.
Announcing the development via his official X handle, yesterday, the President declared, “In a few hours, I will sign four landmark tax reform bills into law, ushering in a bold new era of economic governance in our country.”
Tinubu made a call to investors and citizens alike, saying, “Let the world know that Nigeria is open for business, and this time, everyone has a fair shot.”
He described the bills as not just technical adjustments but a direct intervention to ease burdens on struggling Nigerians.
“These reforms go beyond streamlining tax codes. They deliver the first major, pro-people tax cuts in a generation, targeted relief for low-income earners, small businesses, and families working hard to make ends meet,” Tinubu wrote.
According to the President, “They will unify our fragmented tax system, eliminate wasteful duplications, cut red tape, restore investor confidence, and entrench transparency and coordination at every level.”
He added that the long-standing burden of Nigeria’s tax structure had unfairly weighed down the vulnerable while enabling inefficiency.
The tax reforms, first introduced in October 2024, were part of Tinubu’s post-subsidy-removal recovery plan, aimed at expanding revenue without stifling productivity.
However, the bills faced turbulence at the National Assembly and amongst some state governors who rejected its passing in 2024.
At the NASS, the bills sparked heated debate, particularly around the revenue-sharing structure, which governors from the North opposed.
They warned that a shift toward derivation-based allocations, especially with VAT, could tilt fiscal balance in favour of southern states with stronger consumption bases.
After prolonged dialogue, the VAT rate remained at 7.5 per cent, and a new exemption was introduced to shield minimum wage earners from personal income tax.
By May 2025, the National Assembly passed the harmonised versions with broad support, driven in part by pressure from economic stakeholders and international observers who welcomed the clarity and efficiency the reforms promised.
In his tweet, Tinubu stressed that this is just the beginning of Nigeria’s tax evolution.
“We are laying the foundation for a tax regime that is fair, transparent, and fit for a modern, ambitious Nigeria.
“A tax regime that rewards enterprise, protects the vulnerable, and mobilises revenue without punishing productivity,” he stated.
He further acknowledged the contributions of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reform Committee, the National Assembly, and Nigeria’s subnational governments.
The President added, “We are not just signing tax bills but rewriting the social contract.
“We are not there yet, but we are firmly on the road.”
The Senate has issued a 10-day ultimatum to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) over its failure to appear before the Senate Committee on Public Accounts probing alleged financial discrepancies amounting to over ?210 trillion in its audited reports from 2017 to 2023.
Despite being summoned, no officials or external auditors from NNPCL showed up yesterday.
However, representatives from the representatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and Department of State Services were present.
Angered by the NNPCL’s absence, the committee, yesterday, issued a 10-day ultimatum, demanding the company’s top executives to appear before the panel by July 10 or face constitutional sanctions.
A letter from NNPCL’s Chief Financial Officer, Dapo Segun, dated June 25, was read at the session.
It cited an ongoing management retreat and requested a two-month extension to prepare necessary documents and responses.
The letter partly read, “Having carefully reviewed your request, we hereby request your kind consideration to reschedule the engagement for a period of two months from now to enable us to collate the requested information and documentation.
“Furthermore, members of the Board and the senior management team of NNPC Limited are currently out of the office for a retreat, which makes it difficult to attend the rescheduled session on Thursday, 26th June, 2025.
“While appreciating the opportunity provided and the importance of this engagement, we reassure you of our commitment to the success of this exercise. Please accept the assurances of our highest regards.”
But lawmakers rejected the request.
The Committee Chairman, Senator Aliyu Wadada, said NNPCL was not expected to submit documents, but rather provide verbal responses to 11 key questions previously sent.
“For an institution like NNPCL to ask for two months to respond to questions from its own audited records is unacceptable,” Wadada stated.
“If they fail to show up by July 10, we will invoke our constitutional powers. The Nigerian people deserve answers,” he warned.
Other lawmakers echoed similar frustrations.
Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) insisted that NNPCL’s Group CEO, Bayo Ojulari, must personally lead the delegation at the next hearing.
The Tide reports that Ojulari took over from Mele Kyari on April 2, 2025.
Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi (Ebonyi North) said the two-month request suggested the company had no answers, but the committee would still grant a fair hearing by reconvening on July 10.
Senator Victor Umeh (Anambra Central) warned the NNPCL against undermining the Senate, saying, “If they fail to appear again, Nigerians will know the Senate is not a toothless bulldog.”
Last week, the Senate panel grilled Segun and other top executives over what they described as “mind-boggling” irregularities in NNPCL’s financial statements.
The Senate flagged ?103 trillion in accrued expenses, including ?600 billion in retention fees, legal, and auditing costs—without supporting documentation.
Also questioned was another ?103 trillion listed under receivables. Just before the hearing, NNPCL submitted a revised report contradicting the previously published figures, raising more concerns.
The committee has demanded detailed answers to 11 specific queries and warned that failure to comply could trigger legislative consequences.
The National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA) said over 17 million Nigerians travelled out between 2023 and 2024.
This is as the association announced that it would be organising a maiden edition of Eastern Travel Market 2025 in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital from 27th to 30th August, 2025.
Vice Chairman of NANTA, Eastern Zone, Hope Ehiogie, disclosed this during a news briefing in Port Harcourt.
Ehiogie explained that the event aims to bring together over 1,000 travel professionals to discuss the future of the industry in the nation and give visibility to airlines, hospitality firms, hospitals and institutions in the South-South and South-East, tagged Eastern Zone.
He stated that the 17 million number marks a significant increase in overseas travel and tours.
According to him, “Nigerian travel industry has seen significant growth, with 17 million people traveling out of the country in 2023”.
Ehiogie further said the potential of tourism and travel would bring in over $12 million into the nation’s economy by 2026, saying it would be a major spike in the sector, as 2024 recorded about $4 million.
“The potential of tourism and travel is that it can generate about $12 million for the nation’s economy by 2026. Last year it was $4 million.
“In the area of travels, over 17 million Nigerians traveled out of the country two years ago for different purposes. This included, health, religious purposes, visit, education and others,” Ehiogie said.
While highlighting the potential of Nigeria’s tourism, he said the hospitality industry in Nigeria has come of age, saying it is now second to none.
The Vice Chairman of NANTA, Eastern Zone further said, “We are not creating an enabling environment for business to thrive. We need to support the industry and provide the necessary infrastructure for growth.”
He said the country has a lot of tourism potential, especially as the government is now showing interest in and supporting the sector.
Ehiogie emphasized that NANTA has been working to support the industry with initiatives such as training schools and platforms for airlines and hotels to sell their products.
He added, “We now have about four to five training schools in the region, and within two years, the first set of students will graduate. We are helping airlines sell tickets and hotels sell their rooms.”
Also speaking, former Chairman of the Board of Trustees of NANTA, Stephen Isokariari of Dial Travels, called for more support from the industry.
Isokariari stated, “We need to work together to grow the industry and contribute to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product.
“With the right support and infrastructure, the Nigerian travel industry has the potential to make a significant contribution to the nation’s economy.”