By Ahmed Ahmed
Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, on Friday, assented to three 2024 Executive Orders and ordered for immediate compliance of the orders.
Signing the Orders, Mohammed said that the Executive Order No.3 of 2024 for the removal of illegal structures in the state would prohibit the issuance of permits along road corridors, green areas, right of way, utility areas or setbacks by any of the Ministries or Parastatals and Local Government Councils.
According to him, any person who failed to comply with the provision of the Order or aforementioned laws shall be liable on conviction to a three months imprisonment or a fine of N100,000 or both.
“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 willfully fail to comply with any enquiries on directives made by any officer or Task Force in accordance with the Order.
Governor Bala Mohammed on the signing of the Executive Order No.2 of 2024 to unify weight and measures in the state, noted that the state government has observed with serious concern the proliferation of different weight and measures across the state which places the consumer at disadvantage.
He said the state government recognised the need to protect the consumer by maintaining standard and unifying weight and measures in the state, adding that the use of all old weight and measures presently in circulation in the state is banned and prohibited.
Mohammed 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“All the old weight and measures that are different from the approved unified ones shall henceforth be mopped up and withdrawn from circulation by the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.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 with a term that may extend to six months imprisonment and N500,000 fine,” he said.
While signing the Executive Order No.1 of 2024 on Community and Environmental Protection, Public Safety & Security and Prohibition of Deforestation, Mohammed said by this order, no Traditional or Community leader shall issue any consent letters to any individual or corporate body for any excavation activity.
According to him, none of them should enter into or sign any Community Development Agreements within the proscribed limits of this Order without the requisite approval of the State Government through the Ministry of Natural Resources.
“Any individual or company found carrying out any activity 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 of Environmental Impact Assessment Act ( CAP.E12) LFN 2004.
“Any individual or company found carrying out any activity 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 years or fine which may extend to N1 million or both.
“Any person who obstructs, prevents, hinders or assaults any obstruction 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 1 year or both,” said the governor.
