By Abdulgafar Oladimeji
Nigerian Union of Lottery Agents and Employees, NULAE, Kano state chapter ( an affiliate of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC) has disclosed that the premises of illegal lottery operators in Kano will be shut down.
The state chairman of the union, Sydney Emeafu, Thursday in a press briefing held at the state secretariat of the union located at Sani Giwa street Sabon Gari, revealed that the union in collaboration with security agencies has mapped out plans to mop up illegal lottery operators in the state.
Emeafu decries the activities of illicit operators, explaining that their activities have continued to constitute nuisance especially i within rural communities in the state.
He said “it has come to our attention that illegal lottery operators are operating from rural communities in Kano state, this they do just to evade the laws, such as tax evasion.
“ lottery is regulated by an act of parliament in Nigeria and also by Kano state laws, there are too many illegal principal agents and employees, in rural communities in Kano state, unfortunately when they err the authorities refer to us.
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“The leadership of our union is making frantic efforts towards sanitizing the activities of operators in the LOTTO and BET industry in Kano State, to conform with best practices and norms acceptable to our host community.
“ We have solicited and earned the support and co-operation of the various security agencies in the state, as well as the zonal office of our industry regulator (National Lottery Regulatory Commission) to achieve this objective.
“The norms and tradition of our host community have made it imperative that we must enforce strict compliance of the operating rules and regulations of our union to enhance peaceful coexistence with the larger society.
“It is in this regard that our union is working in tandem with the aforementioned bodies to embark on a massive enforcement drive to fish out members and non-members alike, who contravene the laid down guidelines in Kano State.
He urged lottery operators to be law-abiding by paying their taxes and other loyalties, further appealing to the operators to dismiss any attempt to convert their business premises into the hub of criminal elements.
