News
Bayelsa Cautions Community Leaders, Wants Levies Imposed On Non-Indigenes Stopped
The Bayelsa State Government on Wednesday cautioned the leadership of communities in the state to operate within the confines of the law and the Constitution.
The Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, stated this at a meeting with the leadership of Imiringi Community at his office in Government House, Yenagoa.
Ewhrudjakpo, who reacted to reports that the leadership of Imiringi was collecting monies to register non indigenes resident in their community, condemned the act in its entirety.
He admitted that though government had directed the profiling of visitors to communities for security reasons, it did not at anytime mandate communities to make non-indigenes pay for such registration.
Ewhrudjakpo said the alleged collection of registration fees from visitors ranging from N1,000 to N5,000 by the community development committee of Imiringi was not in tandem with the policy thrust of the government.
He noted that while government supports the registration of people coming to do business in Bayelsa communities, the people should be careful not to scare away potential investors with illegal and arbitrary levies.
The Bayelsa Number Two man noted that the reasons advanced by the Imiringi community for imposing the levies on the non-indigenous business were not tenable and supported by government.
The Deputy Governor, therefore, directed the leadership of Imiringi community in Ogbia Local Government Area, to immediately stop imposition of registration fees on non-indigenes resident in the area until further notice.
“Information at our disposal shows that you are collecting registration fees from visitors ranging from N1,000 to N5,000 from non indigenes in your community. If that is true, I want to say clearly that, it is not in tandem with the policy thrust of the state government.
“Yes, government supports the registration of people coming to do business in all our communities, but we have not at anytime issued any directive to communities to collect money or levies”, he said.
“As a people, we should not do things that are against the law and the Constitution of the country. Because the Constitution allows every citizen to reside, own and operate legitimate businesses anywhere in this country.
“You know, there is already a negative public perception about Bayelsa; that it is not an investor-friendly state. We are battling to change that perception, which some people are using to demarket us even when their states are more violent and insecure than our state.
“I have listened to all the reasons you have given but they are tenable. You can raise funds through other legitimate means to carry out meaningful development projects in your community without recourse to imposing this kind of levies”, he added.
“Let me, therefore, appeal that you discontinue with collection of the levies. I will discuss the matter with the Governor and government will come up with a final position.”
Speaking earlier, the Public Relations Officer of Imiringi Community, Mr. Adu Wilfred, explained that the N5,000 levy was imposed on only timber dealers, farmers and others carrying out business in the forest.
Mr. Adu also clarified that N1,000 was being collected as registration fee from non-indigenes doing business in the community such as commercial tricycle and motorcycle riders as well as shop owners to enable the community respond to issues concerning their safety.
Also speaking, a member of the Imiringi Council of Elders, Chief Otobo Bamekpar, explained the levy was not a monthly or yearly tax, but rather a one-time payment to guarantee the non-indigenes access to the community forest for their economic activities.
Present at the meeting were the Secretary to the State Government, Rt Hon. Konbowei Benson, the Commissioner of Police, CP Benjamin Okolo, the Deputy Chief of Staff, Deputy Governor’s Office, Mr Alex Dumbo and Women Affairs Commissioner, Mrs Faith Opene.
Others included the Community Development Commissioner, Chief Thompson Amule, Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters Two, Mr Ngobiowe Awokeigha the Governor’s Special Representative of Ogbia Local Government Area, Prince Awudumapu Isiki and Imiringi Community Paramount Ruler, HRH Lucky Chukwu-Igwe.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
As part of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary celebration, the Federal Government held a special thanksgiving service on Sunday at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja to offer prayers and give thanks for the nation.
The event drew top government officials and security chiefs, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as well as their spouses.
Other notable guests included Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, former Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Lalong, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who led the service chiefs in attendance.
Service chiefs present included the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap and Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, among others.00
The service came days after the government unveiled the official theme and some of the activities slated for the 2025 Independence celebrations.
This year’s anniversary is tagged “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” as announced by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, in a statement on Wednesday.
“As part of activities to mark the 65th Independence Anniversary, the Juma’at Prayer and the Inter-Denominational Church Service will be held on Friday, 26th September at 1 pm and Sunday, 28th September at 10 am respectively, as well as the World Press Conference on Monday, 29th September at 10 am,” he said.
The Tide source had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu, alongside former Heads of State, Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, is expected as a special guest at a national discourse convened by the Island Club, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
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