Business and Economy
2019 Budget: Senate Uncovers N42 billion fraud by Ministry of Trade and Investment.
The Senate Committee on Trade and Investment chair by Senator Sabo Mohammed on Monday has uncovered a N42 billion misappropriation from the 2019 budget proposals by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment. adsbygoogle || []).push({}); js">
This was revealed when an illegal company, Special Economic Zone Company listed for N42 billion popped up during the presentation of 2018 performance leading to rejection of N15, 633 billion 2019 budget proposals.
Informavores gathered that the Chairman of the Committee Senator Sabo Mohammed, APC member, representing Jigawa North West pointed the attention of the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Okechukwu Enelama to item number 2 on page 7 which has N42.091 billion budgetary allocation for Nigeria Special Economic Zone Company not known to be one of the 17 agencies under the Ministry .
The Minister in his response said “the exercise was established through Presidential initiative and approval given it at Cabinet meeting in May 2018” .
“private partnership is one of the areas that this government is focused for infrastructure, and the second area is industrialization and the two have something in common.” , Dr Okechukwu Enelama continued.
“If the government tries to do it alone, it would be extremely tasking. So the President directed that we should bring other partners that can combine with whatever monies we have to build world class infrastructure which led to the establishment of the company in partnership with other investors. ”
Meanwhile, According to the document containing information on the establishment of the company as obtained from Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) by Chairman of the Committee, the company was registered as Nigeria Sez Investment Company Limited and not Nigeria Special Economic Zone Company listed the documents presented by the Minister .
He said, “Ownership of the company as clearly stated in the document obtained from CAC on the 26th of last month designated as Directors are Dr Bakari Wadinga , Mr Olufemi Edun and Ms Oluwadara Owoyemi .
“The document clearly States that the company is a private company and that liability of the members are limited by share which as also shown, gives federal government 25% and 75% to the private individuals ” he continued .
Despite the effort of Dr Enelama to convince the chairman and other members of the committee that the initiative was driven by the federal government, they all declared that the process of putting it up “is misnomer and nothing but financial ambush to the Nigeria “.
The committee subsequently instructed the embattled Minister to forward detailed written explanation on how the company crept into appropriation list.
It also directed him to forward its management staff, list of its staff strength and statement of account as pre-requisite for consideration of the 2019 budget proposals .
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Business and Economy
Kogi Govt Opens Bids for Livestock Market Rehabilitation Project
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
The Kogi State Government has embarked on a major initiative to rehabilitate nine livestock markets across the three senatorial districts of the state.
The bid opening ceremony for the project took place over the weekend, at Kogi State Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (Kogi L-PRES) Project office in Lokoja.
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The Project Coordinator, Mr Abdulkabir Onoruoyiza Otaru, highlighted the importance of the initiative and assured of a transparent process.
Otaru described the market rehabilitation project as a new dawn in Kogi State’s livestock value chain, and commended Gov. Ahmed Ododo for fully supporting the project.
He revealed that the World Bank had approved the project, with nine livestock markets to be rehabilitated in the first phase across the state’s nine Federal Constituencies.
“We’ve secured World Bank approval for the rehabilitation of one livestock market in each of Kogi State’s nine Federal Constituencies.
“We’ve engaged stakeholders to ensure a smooth bidding process and successful project execution.
“I urge the winning contractor to deliver high-quality work within the timeframe.
“Governor Ahmed Ododo’s support for L-PRES has been instrumental in improving livestock farmers’ livelihoods and the state’s economy,” Otaru said.
He emphasised that the rehabilitation of the nine livestock markets is expected to enhance livestock productivity and value chain in the state, improving the livelihoods of farmers and the economy,” Otaru said.
The Commissioner for Livestock Development, Dr Olufemi Bolarin, said the rehabilitation project aims to enhance the livestock sector, crucial to the state’s economy and food security.
“The modernisation of the markets will improve trading conditions, boost the livelihoods of farmers and traders, and create hygienic and efficient market spaces that meet international standards,” Bolarin said.
Represented by the Ministry’s Director of Livestock, Mr Ali Peter, the commissioner emphasised the need for a transparent and competitive bidding process.
The commissioner urged participants to adhere strictly to the guidelines.
The ministry’s Permanent Secretary,, Dr Abdulsalam Hadi, commended the governor for his commitment to transforming livestock development in the state.
He expressed confidence that the project would be a success, contributing significantly to the growth of the state.
The Kogi L-PRES Procurement Officer, Mr Adeolu Oshadare, disclosed that five companies submitted bidding documents with prices ranging from N1.22 billion to N2.12 billion.
According to him, the project bid was advertised on September 12, 2025, and five companies submitted bids by October 10, 2025.
According to him, the bid prices are: Nuelika Infinity Ltd (N1.54 billion), Izyprecs Ltd (N1.55 billion), Emmanuel-NIK and Gold Ltd (N1.47 billion), RSA Global Investment Ltd (N1.22 billion), and Numora Integrated Ltd (N2.12 billion).
Adeolu noted that the next stage would be the evaluation of bids by the evaluation committee within the next week.
In his remarks, Prof Usman Omeiza, Chairman of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply, Kogi State Branch, commended the Kogi State Livestock Ministry, L-PRES, and other stakeholders for ensuring a seamless and transparent bidding process.
He urged them to maintain this transparency throughout the project.
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Business and Economy
KGIRS Gives Rebates, Urges Land Owners towards Voluntary Payment
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
The Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KGIRS) has charged property owners who have received Land Use Charge Demand Notice to pay in order to fulfil their obligation to the State.
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Executive Chairman of KGIRS, Alhaji Sule Salihu Enehe made the call in a chat with Our Reporter on the significance of Land Use Charge and early payment of the tax.
He said the Land Use Charge introduced by the government was aimed at eliminating the burden of multiple taxation, provision of a more streamlined and efficient system.
Alhaji Enehe urged property owners that have receivethem enjoy Use Charge (LUC) Demand Notice to pay as soon as possible to enable them enjoy early payment incentives.
“Payment within 5 days of receipt of Demand Notice attracts 15% discount while payment within 15 days of receipt of demand notice has 10% discount and payment within 25 days of receipt of Demand Notice also has 5% discount to encourage prompt payment of the LUC.
“Payment can be made in all bank branches across the State as well as Kogi State Revenue POS Agents” he stated.
He assured that government would continue to use the revenue for infrastructure development, maintenance of the environment, and provision of adequate security for the State.
While re-emphasising the significance of the tax, the Executive Chairman, KGIRS, said “The Land Use Charge offers several benefits, including; Accurate assessment of property values for taxation purposes, Identification and registration of property in the State, Allocation of land for government projects and social amenities, Employment opportunities for enumerators from the District, and Creation of a reliable database on the property makeup of the State to inform decision-making.
“The tax obligation section of the Land Use Charge focuses on property used for lease and commercial purposes, but there are exemptions, and they include; Property owned and occupied by religious bodies for public worship or education, Public cemeteries and burial grounds,
“Others are non-profit educational institutions and public libraries, palaces of recognised traditional rulers, community property like town-halls used for community meetings, and Property owned and occupied by pensioners” Alhaji Enehe stated.
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Business and Economy
Kogi Revenue Generation Capacity Hits N3 billion Monthly
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
The Executive Chairman of the Kogi State Revenue Service (KGIRS), Sule Salihu Enehe has said that the revenue generation capacity of the state under his leadership has increased to N3 billion Monthly.
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The Executive Chairman disclosed this while giving account of his leadership since he came on board during the Stewardship Forum organised by the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kogi State Council on Thursday.
Enehe said that him and his management team have lived up to expectation in ensuring effective tax administration and service delivery.
He noted that the N3 billion monthly revenue generation currently in place supercede the proposed taxation income budget for the half year.
“We will ensure that the revenue figure attained does not drop but continue to go higher. KGIRS under my administration has been able to judiciously utilised its 10% IGR in payment of staff salaries and running its day to day operations
“We have also been able to change the narrative through capacity building and care for staff welfare as well as promotion of staff and adherent to seniority in hierarchy to boost their moral for higher productivity
“Further more, we have been able to introduce Central Billing System and Automated Taxation to reduce leakages in revenue collection”
He expressed the readiness of KGIRS to continue to partner Journalists in publicising its activities
He also expressed the hope that the new Nigeria Revenue Tax Act which will become operational in January next year would benefit Kogi State tremendously.
“The new law harmonizes all tax acts into single document to reduce double taxation” Enehe explained.
He appealed to the people of Kogi State to embrace prompt payment of their taxes to enjoy more dividends of democracy and development of the state at large.
“However, the greatest challenges of KGIRS have been that of obstacles in enforcement of taxation laws and reluctant on the part of tax payers to live up to their responsibility in tax payment”
Earlier, the Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists NUJ, Kogi State Council, Segun Salami had informed the Executive Chairman and his management team that the Stewardship Forum was put in place to enable the elected and appointed leaders showcase their achievements and challenges to justify people’s mandate in service delivery.
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