By Aideloje Ojo
Minna
Artisans under the umbrella of the Joint Business Association of Niger state and pensioners in Niger state yesterday embarked on protests that grounded economic activities in Minna.
Blueprint learnt that while the pensioners protesting non-payment of pension arrears took the street to Governor’s Office, the group of artisans protesting extortion and illegal taxation from government took to the House of Assembly where they lodged complaint to the Speaker, Hon. Ahmed Marafa Guni.
Speaking with our correspondent in Minna, the chairman of the Joint Business Association of Niger state, Idris Mohammed Gbagba, lamented that the state ministry of works and transport had hired a consultant collecting amounts ranging from N15, 000 to N25, 000 from artisans in the state, including mechanics, traders, electricians, barbing saloons and motorcycle/ Keke NAPEP riders.
Gbagba said his members were harassed and intimidated on daily basis by the consultant firm, adding that the works ministry failed to intervene despite several meetings with the association.
He said the association embarked on sit-at-home strike from yesterday during which members would not offer services to register their grievances on the issue.
“Our peaceful protest to the Niger state House of Assembly was to inform our elected representatives of our plight and I am satisfied with the humble intervention of the Speaker who has summoned stakeholders meeting for Friday,” he said.
In an interview with our correspondent in Minna, the Speaker of the Niger state House of Assembly, Hon. Ahmed Marafa Guni, said the Assembly decided to broker the truce for the peace and stability of the state.
He said “I have arranged for a round table meeting comprising of the relevant House Committees, state ministry of works, the board of internal revenue and the consultant in question to resolve the issue.”
The Speaker said it was the responsibility of the state board of internal revenue to collect taxes, adding that the Assembly would unravel the involvement of the Ministry of Works in the matter.