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Tinubu, Uzodimma Canvass Improved Food Security Via Women Empowerment

By
The Source
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Senator Oluremi Tinubu and Barrister Chioma Uzodinma and Hope Uzodinma

The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State and his wife, Barrister Chioma Uzodinma, have canvassed for improved national food security through strategic and coordinated empowerment of women who are involved in the business of agriculture (agribusiness).

This came in their different remarks during the maiden flag-off of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Women Agricultural Support Programme and National Agricultural Land Development Agency (NALDA) for South East Geo-Political Zone in Owerri, the Imo State capital on Wednesday.

Away from women farmers support programme, the ceremony was also used to empower 100 physically challenged men and women who were given cash of N100,000 each under the RHI Social Investment Support Programme to enable them boost their businesses.

In her address, Mrs. Tinubu said that the RHI initiative aligns with the broader programme of the Federal Government aimed at engaging Nigerian Women in large scale agriculture “as an empowerment and provision of food security for families, States and the Nation at large.”

She pointed out that the support for the South East women in the instant ceremony “is a two-in-one programme where 20 women per-State will receive N500,000 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira each), and NALDA will support 80 women farmers with farm inputs and training.”

She said the financial support is to enhance productivity, while the training is to reduce waste and enhance yield.

The First Lady who said the target is to empower two million women farmers implored the beneficiaries to use the opportunity to improve their agricultural scope and contribute to food production to both the State, the Nation and also to advance their overall productivity.

She emphasized that “the programme will contribute to the economic improvement of the Southeast zone, put more food on our tables and reduce hunger in our land,”

and urged governments and Governors to support the programme and the women farmers to make a huge success of the initiative.

Earlier, Mrs. Tinubu had thanked the  people of Imo State for voting Governor Uzodimma for a second term in office and prayed that his government will bring lasting peace and prosperity to Imo State.

She also thanked the Governor for his support, over the years, towards the empowerment of women and the vulnerable group in the State.

In his felicitation remarks, Governor Uzodimma thanked the First Lady for the initiative and gesture, describing the day as “remarkable because it will make our women farmers more dedicated and food security will be assured.”

Governor Uzodimma further thanked the wife of Mr. President for the empowerment support programme and for flagging-off the programme in the Southeast, urging the beneficiaries to “ensure the programme succeeds and the objectives realized.”

He, however, called on all well meaning Nigerians to partner with the First Lady to ensure success of the initiative, stressing that “the programme is in keeping with Mr. President’s campaign manifesto and promises.”

In her welcome address, the host First Lady and wife of Imo State Governor who is also Secretary of the Governing Council of RHI, Barr (Mrs.) Chioma Uzodimma said that the Renewed Hope Initiative Women Agricultural Support Programme is headed by Mrs Tinubu and that it “signifies a profound commitment to the empowerment of women.”

She noted: “The empowerment of women through agriculture will solve the problem of food security, engender progress and development of any society. Also, it goes a long way towards achieving gender equality and building a more inclusive prosperous community.”

Mrs. Uzodimma emphasized that “the agricultural support programme is significant avenue for women to, not only create economic opportunities, but also contribute to food security, sustainable development and upliftment.”

She added: “The agricultural support programme seeks to harness the potentials of women in agriculture by providing them with the necessary tools and resources to excel in the sector.

“By empowering our women we are not only uplifting individual lives but also transforming communities and society as a whole.”

She warmly welcomed the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, all federal and state government officials,  her colleagues wives of Governors of South East, and other key guests and wished them a successful outing in Imo.

In his goodwill message, the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of NALDA, Prince Ikonne said they are committed to partnering with the First Lady and in luring women, especially the young ones, into agribusiness. He assured of NALDA’s absolute support.

Ikonne informed that NALDA has made provision for the empowerment of two million women in animal husbandry, fishery, Poultry, snail farming and others, in addition to arranging for off-takers for a ready market.

The highpoint of the event was the show case of the different agricultural inputs and thereafter, distribution to the benefitting women farmers from South East.

Wife of the Vice President, Hajia Nana Shettima, that of the Senate President, Mrs. Ekaette Unoma Akpabio, wives of the Governors of Abia (Mrs. Priscilla Otti), Anambra (Mrs. Nonye Soludo), Ebonyi (Mrs. Mary- Maudline Nwifuru), Enugu (Mrs. Nkechinyere Mbah), and those of the Chief of Staff to the President, Mrs. Salamatu Gbajabiamila and the Service Chiefs joined Mlrs. Tinubu at the event.

Deputy Governor of Imo State, Lady Chinyere Ekomaru, former Governor of Imo State, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, former Speakers of Imo State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Goodluck Opiah (also a former Minister of State, Education) and Rt Hon Emeka Nduka, immediate past Chief of Staff to the Governor, Barr Nnamdi Anyaehie, former Minister of State, Science and Technology, Chief Henry Ikoh, Managing Director of ISOPADEC, Chief Charles Orie, former Chairman of All Progressives Congress in Imo State, Chief Marcom Nlemigbo, among other former top government officials attended the event.

Also in attendance were the Chairman of Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRH, Eze EC Okeke, his deputy for Orlu Zone, HRH Eze Thomas Obiefuna, among other ranking monarchs from Imo State.

Cross River APC Imbroglio: How Eba Overwhelmed Party Renegades Seeking His Ouster

By
The Source
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Alphonsus Oga Eba and Bassey Otu

By Stanley Ekpenyong,  South-South Bureau Chief

Before former Governor Ben Ayade defected from the People Democratic Party,  PDP to the All Progressives Congress,  APC in May 2021 taking with him almost the state’s entire political structure, Cross River was a one-party state- PDP.

However, in the run-up to the 2023 elections, pundits had predicted the party would effortlessly reclaim the state, given that Cross River was traditionally a PDP state. But this never happened.

Rather,  the APC consolidated by recording a massive victory including the governorship,  two out of the three senatorial seats,  five out of the seven House of Representatives seats and 20 out of 25 House of Assembly seats.

Leading the titanic battle that sunk PDP in the state was a young lawyer and Chairman of the state chapter of the APC, Barrister Alphonsus Oga Eba.

Surprisingly,  however rather than showering him with effusive praises and accolades no sooner had Barrister Eba led the party to secure the massive victory than some rebellious elements within the party commenced the push for his ouster on the grounds of alleged misconduct.

Watchers of Cross River politics opine there is more to the plot to undo the Chairman than the allegations against him.

They wonder why a man who led a party to a convincing victory could have at the same time engaged in misconduct against the same party.

Similarly, not a few APC partisans in the state have queried the misconduct allegation against Eba,  arguing that the party has not reported its Chairman misbehaved.

“It’s baffling that a man who led our party to victory is being targeted. Why accuse him of alleged misconduct when the party he leads and all organs of it have not said his activities are not in sync with his exalted office?  This is witchhunt”, a chieftain of the party in the state said.

Multiple sources in the party told the magazine that the plot against Barrister Eba was championed by some party stalwarts from the Cross River North Senatorial District where he hails from.

The party chieftains, the magazine was further informed, feared that by the virtue of his position as party Chairman plus his astounding success in leading the party to victory, Barriater Eba’s political profile had burgeoned and could soon become a threat to their political relevance, not only in the Senatorial district but in the entire state.

Matters came to a head last month when the anti-Eba forces under the aegis of APC Stakeholders Forum announced the “removal” and “appointment” of one James Alichie Okpamu as his replacement on an acting basis.

In a swift move,  however,  Eba declared his traducers as incapable of removing him and despatched a letter to the National Chairman of the party, Ibrahim Ganduju pointing out that if the national leadership of the party accorded the faction recognition, Cross APC would descent into intractable anarchy.

Barrister Eba then rallied the Cross River APC behind him and got the leadership to pass a vote of confidence on him.

The “Stakeholders forum” further suffered a setback when Governor Bassey Otu denied them a buy-in.

Instead, aware of Eba’s efforts at cementing APC in the state,  Governor Otu last week convened a party stakeholder meeting where he publicly expressed full confidence in Barriater Eba, chastised elements within the party plotting the chairman’s removal and ordered them to withdraw all cases to that effect in court.

Meanwhile,  it is not yet clear what the next line of action of the Okpamu group who protested at the APC National Secretariat on Thursday is,  sources however, claim they will in the coming days be pacified with appointments by Governor Otu.

Obi Knocks New MPR  Says It Will Worsen Economic Situation, Lead To Job Loss

By
The Source
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Peter Obi

The main opposition voice in the country and the Labour Party standard bearer, Peter Obi has given a thumbs down to the new monetary policy rates released by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN.

According to Obi,  the new policy will worsen the economic situation in the country and will seriously affect the productive sector and lead to job loss.

Writing in his X handle,  the former Presidential Candidate said “Let me confess that the label of being a vintage Onitsha-based trader does not in any way confer on me the status of an economic expert.

“With my vast trading knowledge and my involvement in the real sector, I am of the strong opinion that the recent decision of the Monetary Policy Committee to increase the Monetary Policy Rate, MPR, to 22.5% and the Cash Reserve Ratio, CRR, to 45% will further worsen the economic situation of most Nigerian households as it is bound to cause more job losses in the productive sector, especially manufacturing and other sectors that rely on bank loans for their funding needs.

“Tightening liquidity in the financial system does not improve productivity, ie food production, which is the major cause of inflation in Nigeria. Moreover, only about 12% of N3.6 trillion total money, in circulation, is in the banking system which means that 88%, about N3.2 trillion is outside the banking system.

“So, this measure would rather be counterproductive as it would not address the intended purpose of managing the money supply.

“These new measures will worsen the fragile economy as the supply of funds would dry up for the real sector, and the new MPR rate hike will push the interest rate on loans to above 30%, which would be very difficult for the real sector operators especially manufacturers and SMEs to repay; consequently resulting, obviously, in increased bad loans, and worsening the nation’s economic situation.

“The most critical way to manage our high rate of inflation and decline in production is for the government to address the issue of insecurity in the country, which will allow for increased food, and crude oil production, and the overall increase in production, which will make products, especially foods, cheaper.

“This way we would increase our productivity as well as restore the confidence of FDIs and FPIs to come back to the country.

NFF Announces Eguavoen As Super Eagles Interim Coach For The Third Time

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, has, for the second time, appointed former Super Eagles Player, Augustine Eguavoen as the Interim Coach of the Super Eagles following the resignation of Portuguese tactician, Jose Peseiro.

Peseiro’s contract with the NFF had expired on Thursday, February 28, 2024, and there were reports that NFF was negotiating a new contract with the former Porto manager, but he opted to quit, two weeks after he led the Super Eagles to a second place finish at the African Cup of Nations championship in Côte d’Ivoire.

58-Year Old Eguavoen was appointed as Interim Coach of the Super Eagles and led the Team to a Round of 16 exit from the 2021 African Cup of Nations Championship in Cameroon.

He had replaced former Super Eagles Coach, Gernot Rohr after the German was sacked by the NFF.

It would be recalled that Eguavoen failed to guide the Super Eagles to the 2022 FIFA World Cup Tournament in Qatar as the Super Eagles lost to the Black Stars of Ghana on an away goal after the team played a 0-0 draw in Kumasi and forcing a 1-1 draw at the Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola Stadium in Abuja.

At AFCON 2006, Eguavoen led the Super Eagles to a Bronze Medal finish, and became the first Coach to have a 100 percent record for Nigeria at the AFCON Tournament Group Stage.

Emefiele “Escorted” Out Of CBN Official Lagos Residence

By
James Orji
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Former Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, governor Godwin Emefiele has moved out of the Lagos official residence.
The embattled former apex bank governor moved out on Sunday under the supervision of Jim Obazee, the Special Investigator appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to probe him.
Obazee was also accompanied by other members of the panel instituted by the president last year to investigate the Emefiele-led CBN.
The panel has since submitted a damning report indicting Emefiele and other top CBN officials who served under him.
The former CBN boss was sacked last June by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and is currently being prosecuted for corruption related issues, including that he abused his office by approving close to N30 trillion in Ways and Means, W&M for the federal government contrary to CBN enabling Act.
Recall that Emefiele was accused recently of destroying the economy by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
The former CBN boss has denied the allegation, saying he’s not a serial offender as claimed by Akpabio.
Emefiele has now sued Akpabio for N25 billion for alleged deformation.
In a letter through his lawyer, Mathew Burkaa, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, addressed to Akpabio, Emefiele demanded a retraction and apology.
The letter partly read, “We are solicitors to Dr. Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (hereinafter referred to as “Our Client”), on whose brief and instruction, we write this letter. The above statement, whether taken in their ordinary, figurative, or literal meaning portrayed our Client as:
“The cause of the entire hardship in Nigeria today is as a result of the policies of the previous administration.
“A serial offender whose action is responsible for all the hardship experienced by Nigerians today.
“A person who has committed offences that are so numerous that the government is confused as to which of the offences to prefer a charge against him.”
Emefiele noted that the comments of the senate president undermined the integrity of the court and its independence, adding that it was detrimental to his ongoing trial.
 “As the President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, you certainly know, or have reasons to know that the Federal Government of Nigeria had since August 14, 2023, preferred charges against our client to which he had long pleaded not guilty and is presently defending same to exonerate himself and show that he is not guilty of the said allegations. It is therefore disturbing, that such a statement would be made by the Head of the Legislature of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on a matter that is clearly subjudice.
“Your statement, with the greatest respect, clearly undermines the honour and integrity of the Court and its independence and indeed has the propensity of prejudicing the case against Our Client. Having submitted to the jurisdiction of the Court, it is only fair and proper that the Court should be allowed to determine the issues submitted to it without unnecessary pressure from any other arm of Government.”
Retract the statement or face court action, Emefiele told Akpabio.
He said, “It is pursuant to the above and without delving into the matter presently pending in Court that Our Client has instructed that we write to Your good offices and demand the immediate retraction of Your statement which has gone viral and is considered defamatory of Our Client
“These baseless and false allegations defame the character of Our Client and have also caused him great pains and embarrassment as it has lowered his esteem before the right-thinking members of the Society in addition to the obvious odium and opprobrium from the unsuspecting members of the Society as a result of the falsity contained in that statement.
“We, therefore have Our Client’s further instruction to demand from you an unreserved apology in writing, published and circulated by the same medium with which you have defamed his character, and the sum of N25,000,000,000 as reasonable compensation for the willful and unjustifiable denigration of his hard-earned reputation. If you fail, refuse, or neglect to comply with this legitimate demand, Our Client will be at liberty to seek the appropriate redress available to him under the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
The letter was dated February 19.

Aftermath Of President Tinubu’s Visit: Qatari Investors Due In Nigeria

By
Ayodele Oni
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President Bola Tinubu in Qatar

By Ayodele Oni

Investors from Qatar are due in Nigeria soon as one of the fallouts of President Bola Tinubu’s visit to the country.

President Tinubu’s official visit to the state of Qatar with some members of his cabinet, is mainly to interact with members of business community in that country.

The President and His Highness, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar, on Sunday in Doha, witnessed the signing of historic agreements between both nations.

This is expected to open a gateway for leveraging the potential of mutual cooperation in pivotal sectors of education, enterprise development, investment promotion, youth empowerment, mining, tourism, and sports.

Before the signing ceremony at the Qatar Presidential Palace, President Tinubu assured his host of Nigeria’s preparedness to welcome investors into the country, noting the ongoing reforms that favour innovation, return on investments, and multiculturalism.”

Presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngalele, in a statement stated that Tinubu added that “Our greatest strength is our people. Our strength lies in the capacity of Nigerian youths. They have energy, talent, and self-belief.

“They are quality partners for Qatari industry. They are educated and reliable, and they are proactively seeking to add value wherever they are. A few cannot give a bad name to the many. Nigerian youths are ready to be unleashed for the mutual benefit of both nations.

“We have seen clearly the rapid pace and thorough quality of Qatar’s development process. It is impossible not to be moved by what you have accomplished. The leadership in the country has proven its mettle, and we are here to gain deeper insight.

“There is nowhere in the world where you will find return on investment at the level of what you will see in Nigeria. A massive market of over 200 million skilled Nigerians, always industrious and ready to work.

“We face some short-term turbulence at the moment, but we have a government today that reflects the dynamism and talent of the Nigerian people.

“We are implementing the right solutions. This team works collaboratively with each other and our partners. Nigeria is ready for serious business.”

The Emir of the State of Qatar, His Highness, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, emphasized that Qatar is open to President Tinubu’s investment push, recalling that he traveled to Nigeria in 2019 owing to his belief that Nigeria is an important and strategic ally on its own and within the context of its role in regional affairs.

“I have no doubt about the great capacity of the Nigerian people. Everywhere in the world, they are known for their brilliance and hard work.

“We only need to ensure that this is happening inside of Nigeria rather than outside. The investments we have made around the world have been very fruitful.

“This is because we take our time and study opportunities before we invest the common wealth of our people. It is not my money. The money we invest belongs to the future generations of Qatar.

“Mr. President, I am very encouraged by your actions and your passion to create new opportunities. We are very open to this, and follow-up is everything at this point.

“The will is there for both of us, but we must follow up. I will send a team of officials to Nigeria after Ramadan, and we will advance discussions on what some of the actionable investment opportunities are.”

Abuja Looting: After NEMA Denial FCTA Confirms Incident

By
James Orji
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Nyesom Wike - FCT Minister

Following the National  Emergency Management Authority, NEMA denial that its warehouse was looted, the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA has confirmed the incident.

The magazine reports that some residents of the nation’s capital had broken into the Agricultural and Rural Development, ARD, looting food items and other goods on Sunday.

But NEMA denied the incident even though the FCT police command confirmed the attack of the warehouse by suspected hoodlums.

The spokesperson for the FCT Police Command, Josephine Adeh, while confirming the incident stated that the situation had been brought under control, the spokesperson of the ARD Secretariat, Zakari Aliyu, said the the hoodlums  also vandalise the warehouse after looting its contents.

According to him some officials from the FCTA, including the FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, will also visit the facility on Monday.

Aliyu said, “We visited the scene of the incident this morning. We visited with the Secretary and some other officials of the Secretariat. So, by tomorrow, the Secretary I think with the Minister of State will pay another visit to that place,” he said.

“I am sure that a lot of information that will be useful to you, you will get it. If you can just be patient, tomorrow you will get all the information you need. If you go there, there is nothing there. If you know that place, do you know that they removed the roof, and the windows inclusive, apart from the food items?

Economic Hardship: NEMA Warehouse In Abuja Looted

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

As the economic situation bite harder in the country coupled with desperacy of Nigerians to put something in the stomach, they have resorted to various means to survive.

Some yet to be identified persons on Sunday broke into the warehouse of the National Emergency Management Agency of Nigeria (NEMA) in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

It was gathered that the warehouse, located in Karimo, Phase 3 Region of the FCT, Abuja, was raided on Sunday morning.

Report stated that the residents carted away foodstuffs and other items amidst the growing hardship in the country over the hike in the prices of food items.

Before the police could be alerted, substantial goods, mostly foodstuffs have been said to have been carted away.

Already, the police in Abuja have been deployed to the area to disperse the looters.

The spokesperson for the FCT Police Command, Josephine Adeh, confirmed the incident and added that the situation had been brought under control.

“The situation is now under control,” she added.

Ekiti First Lady Empowers Youths Through Adire Fabrics

By
Ayodele Oni
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Olayemi Oyebanji - Ekiti State First Lady

By Ayodele Oni

Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji, has concluded arrangement to empower youths in the state through production of adire fabrics.

The first lady will on Monday, launch the “Adire Ekiti Hub” as part of efforts at empowering the youth of Ekiti State by providing them with essential skills and opportunities for sustainable livelihoods.

Taiwo Olatunbosun, Commissioner for Information, explained that the initiative was designed, in collaboration with the State Ministry of Youth Development, under Her Excellency’s pet project “Widows and Orphans Hope (WAOH)” scheme.

It is aimed at addressing unemployment challenges by offering comprehensive training programmes focused on the traditional craft of Adire dyeing and textile production.

The venture will also serve as a platform for youth development, fostering entrepreneurship and preserving Ekiti’s rich cultural heritage.

For the start, 200 unemployed youth would, be trained and equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge free of charge to become proficient in Adire craftsmanship.

Participants will receive hands-on training from skilled artisans, learning traditional techniques alongside modern practices to ensure their competitiveness in today’s market.

South-east Traders Threaten Show Down With Nigeria Customs Over Alleged Unprofessional Conducts

By
The Source
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0

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

South East Region traders and other business actors have raised the alarm over a serious danger posed to the free movements of goods and services, as well as their business concerns by the alleged unbridled extortionist tendencies of the men and officers of Nigeria Customs Service.

They have singled out Nigeria Customs’ incessant raids of South-east  Markets and mounting of hundreds of checkpoints on various roads and routes within the region and SouthSouth neighbouring states as one of the causative factors driving up the costs of essential commodities in the country.

Consequently, they have appealed to all relevant authorities to wade in and halt the alleged insensitive and negative operational tactics of the Service, adding that they may be forced to resort to self help to save their businesses from collapse.

The continued extortionist and exploitative activities of Customs according to the President of Abia state Amalgamated Traders Association ASMATA ,Sir Alphonsus Udeigbo have negatively impacted on the conduct of businesses and free flow of goods and services within the Southeast and Southsouth geopolitical zones, contributing in no small measure in pushing up prices of essential commodities far beyond the reach of the ordinary people.

But the authorities of Nigeria Customs say all their operations in the region ,just like in others are strictly guided by adherence to rules of engagement and extant laws establishing the outfit.

Chief Udeigbo who is also the Chairman of All Chairmen of Aba Markets, one of the known commercial hubs in the Southeast in an exclusive interview with the Source on Saturday March 2 2024 ,noted that the  ugly situation if not checked may force the Traders and other victims of the alleged Customs unethical practices to engaged in a show down with all relevant authorities.

“Look ,the situation is unbearable. You can’t believe that from Benin to Onitsha, Owerri to Aba , Aba to such places like PortHarcourt ,Yenagoa  Uyo,most of which are less than 100 km there are close to 20 Customs Check points on each road .

These checks points are manned by men and Officers from different units of the Service .

Sadly, at each of the Check points traders and other business men and women are forced to part with between N20,000 and N30,000 per truck load of goods.

The status of the goods  you are carrying ,whether contraband or not ,for them does not matter . What matters is that you have to ” settle” .

Now, there are to problems here. One ,the goods are goods that have been officially cleared at the various ports of entry ,with approved duties paid .

The second issue is that these goods are mostly legally approved goods (not contraband) whose owners have paid all the approved duties .

The implications of these unethical and unprofessional conducts of Customs officials are many, but in the main it pushes prices of goods unnecessarily up .

The reason being that after undergoing harrowing experiences, including extortions on the road, the traders in a bid to break even will increase prices. In the end, it is the common man that will finally bear the brunt.

Our position is also that men and officers of the Customs should leave the various South East Markets alone . They should go to their lawfully assigned areas of operation which are the borders and Ports .

It is unfortunate that ,besides subjecting us to unnecessary extortions on the roads they equally raid markets every now and then .

We are in touch with our traders colleagues across the Southeast region, this is the bitter experience of traders be it in Onitsha ,Enugu, Aba ,Abakalika ,Owerri and Southsouth ..

Many businesses are being seriously threatened by the negative activities of these Customs operatives . They even have some accomplices and aides from among the traders, whose job is to feed them with the dates and time of movements of goods. It is all that bad” Udeigbo lamented.

However ,in an   interactive session with  The Source ,Spokesperson for the Abia/ Imo Area Command of Customs Jerry Attah ASC while debunking allegations of multiple checkpoints  ,said the service officially operates two check points at Benin and Cross River within the zone.

According to him ,besides the two, the service only operate Patrol/ Surveillance teams whose task is to ensure that contraband items of any nature do not find their way into Nigeria Markets.

“Here our operations are strictly under taken based on credible intelligence .And it is to  guide against loss of revenue by the federal government,and also prevent the influx of prohibited goods and items into Nigerian markets. We have the mandate to do so .

We are not aware of  alleged extortion and misconducts by our operatives ,because no body has officially approached us on that .

If we receive any complaints ,j can assure the public.  that service will address same.  In any case ,some of these unsubstantiated or informal complaints are mostly from some people who are not into genuine businesses.” Attah noted.

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