Bauchi: Gov. Mohammed Signs Executive Orders On Economic Growth, Others
Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed has signed Three Executive Orders aimed at good governance, economic growth and development.
While signing the Executive Order No.3 of 2024, which is directed at the removal of illegal structures in the state, Governor Mohammed directed full compliance with immediate effect.
The Governor explained that with the development, the issuance of permits along road corridors, green areas, right of way, utility areas or setbacks, in the state by any of the Ministries or Parastatals and Local Government Councils is banned and prohibited.
Mohammed declared that any person who fails to comply with the provision of the Order or aforementioned laws shall be liable on conviction to three months imprisonment or a fine of N100,000.00 or both.
The Governor further said; “It shall be an offence under this Order to Obstruct, hinder or resist any authorized officer to carry out or execute his or her lawful duties. Without any excuse, refuse or wilfully fail to comply with any enquiries on directives made by any officer or Task Force in accordance with the Order.
“Impersonate an officer or duties of the Board, Agency or Task Force’s Staff, attempt, aid, abet, process, counsel or carryout any action which is tantamount to the enforcement of this Order. Omit or commit any act that is inimical to free conduct, compliance and obedience to any provision of this order and aforementioned laws,” he said.
Governor Mohammed speaking on the signing of the Executive Order No.2 of 2024, said that it is unify weight and measures in the state, adding that the state government observed the proliferation of different weight and measures across the state which places the consumer at disadvantage.
Mohammed said the state government recognizes the need to protect the consumer by maintaining standard and unified weight and measures in the state, stressing that by the order, the use of all old weight and measures presently in circulation in the state are banned and prohibited.
The Governor therefore mandated the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to produce, circulate and distribute the approved unified standard weight and measures which shall be used throughout the state and local Governments.
“All the old weight and measures that are different from the approved unified ones shall henceforth be mopped up and withdrawn from circulation by Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
“Whoever is caught using the old weight and measures after the official release of the new weight and measures shall be tried and convicted, punished which term may extend to six months imprisonment and N5000,000:00 fine,” he said.
Similarly, while signing the Executive Order No.1 of 2024 On Community & Environmental Protection, Public Safety & Security and Prohibition of Deforestation, the Governor said by the Order, no Traditional or Community leader shall issue any consent letters to any individual or corporate body for any excavation activity or enter into or sign any Community Development Agreements within the proscribed limits of the Order without the requisite approval of the State Government through the Ministry of Natural Resources.
The Order states; “Any individual or company found carrying out any activity(ies) that is against the provision of this Order or without due compliance with the relevant provisions of the Environmental Impact Assessment Act shall be liable to punishment in line with section 60 Environmental Impact Assessment Act ( CAP.E12) LFN 2004.
“Any individual or company found carrying out any activity(ies) that is against the provision of this Order whose activity is not covered under the Environmental Impact Assessment Act, shall be liable to imprisonment for a term of three (3) years or fine which may extend to One Million Naira (1,000,000.00) or both.
“Any person who obstructs, prevents, hinders or assaults any officer of the Mobile Court in the lawful execution of his duties Under this Order shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to a fine of N500,000 or imprisonment for a term not less than one year or both”.
