Kano state Governor, Alh. Abba Kabir Yusuf has arrived United States of America for high powered symposium organized by US Institute of Peace.

The three days conference being attended by Governors of Kano, Katsina, Zamfara, Kaduna, Niger, Sokoto, Kebbi, Jigawa,and Plateau states, was designed to address insecurity in Northern Nigeria and better option to mitigate the challenge.

The intensive executive engagement will enable the Governors of some of the trouble state deep understanding on the dynamics of security threat, it’s socioeconomic dimensions, and near-term opportunities to drive stability in Northern Nigeria.

The US Institute of Peace would also broaden knowledge on strengthening conflict prevention in the region, through a non-violent strategies for engaging the armed groups as alternative for conflect resolution.

The strategic engagement being anchored under the tutelage of Dr. Joseph Sany, Vice President, Africa Center for US Institute of Peace, will also focus on policy coordination and management of peace and stability in Nigeria.

The symposium which ends 25th April, 2024 is part of the ongoing efforts of the northern Governors especially those from northwest to set a regional development agenda.

A seasoned economic expert, Musa Audu-Abubakar, has raised the alarm over the alleged illegalities taking place at the Nigerian Export Processing Zone in Kano, costing the Federal Government billions of naira in revenue.

Mr Audu-Abubakar, who raised the alarm while speaking with select newsmen on Tuesday in Kano, lamented that at a time when the country is battling with economic instability, finished goods are being diverted to the Nigerian Export Processing Zone for clearance.

According to the expert, the alleged illegality is taking place under the watch of some unpatriotic Customs officers.

He said: “Some businessmen are in the habit of diverting finished products to Nigerian Export Processing Zone Authority because they pay as little as 30% of the customs duty while the government lose billions of revenue.

“They pay as little as 30% of customs duty payable at the Kano Free Trade Zone, while they don’t pay sometimes because they settle the customs officers on duty.

“This is affecting the economy. The government is losing billions of naira until the needful is done,” he lamented.

Mr Audu-Abubakar explained that the Nigerian Export Processing Zone Authority/Kano Free Trade Zone, which is located at the Fanisau Area of Ungogo Local Government in Kano is solely responsible for clearing raw materials, not finished products.

“Taking finished products to the agency for clearance is illegal and against the law,” the expert emphasized.

“The last time I visited the Nigerian Export Processing Zone Authority, I saw that not less than 10 containers of finished products were being cleared in the evening. The question is what brought finished goods to the Nigerian Export Processing Zone?,” he quizzed.

Mr Audu-Abubakar, therefore, called on the federal government to deploy its enforcement mechanisms with a view to ensuring that all finished goods go through the appropriate channels.

“The federal government needs to act fast and enforce regulations so that anyone found guilty of sabotaging the effort of the government in generating deserved revenue,” he added.

The Kano State House of Assembly has called on the state government to take action against Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) for cutting off electricity supply to customers without notice.

During a plenary session on Tuesday presided over by the speaker Jibril Isma’il Falgore, Usman Abubakar Tasiu, a member representing Kiru, made the call.

In presenting the motion, Tasi’u lamented how KEDCO has failed to provide transformers or repair faulty ones, despite collecting payments.

He urged the Kano State Government to compel KEDCO to restore electricity supply to affected communities, particularly in Kiru, Bebeji, and Karaye areas.

Contributing to the motion, Aminu Sa’ad, the member representing Ungoggo, noted that the House has repeatedly called on the government to intervene in KEDCO’s operations due to the power outage.

He mentioned that different motions were presented in the eighth and ninth assemblies regarding KEDCO’s operation, as the company has failed to satisfy the people of Kano State.

Sa’ad emphasized that KEDCO should start compensating customers for its failure to serve them well.

He expressed disappointment that the situation has persisted despite previous efforts, which should not be tolerated anymore.