The Ghanaian Ministry of Trades has rejected claims that Nigerian traders in the country have been treated unfairly during the enforcement of the Ghana Investment Promotion Council (GIPC) regulations; insisting that traders must pay the required taxes and fees imposed on them by the authorities.
Some of the stipulations include a GIPC registration which requires $1 million minimum in foreign equity or cash and a registration fee of 31,500 cedis.
On Sunday, a viral video made rounds on social media of a Nigerian trader whose shop was being forcefully locked up by Ghanaian security officials where they insistently asked him to pay the $1 million registration fee, engendering a public protest. Adding credence to the video, the president of the Nigerian Traders Union in Ghana, Chukwuemeka Nnaji, deplored the closure of shops owned by Nigerians doing business in the country by the Ghanaian authorities; urging the Nigerian government to intervene.
In response to the outcry, Head of communications in Ghana’s trade ministry, Boakye Boateng, said it would be unfair of the Nigerian traders to complain of insensitivity; adding that the traders had been served notice for over a year and were pardoned in December following the intervention of President Nana Akufo-Addo.
Lagos Government extends operation hours of markets
The Lagos State government has extended the operating hours of food markets and non-food markets across the state. However, the alternate days of operations still remain in force.
Chief Press Secretary to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, took to Twitter on Sunday, to announce that markets have been permitted to open by 8 am and close at 6 pm; explaining that the decision was made to further enhance trade and commerce and mitigate the hardship of COVID-19 pandemic. He added that the announcement was made in a statement by the Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs in the state, Dr. Wale Ahmed.
“In a statement signed by the commissioner for local government and community affairs, Dr Wale Ahmed, the decision of the Governor Mr Babajide Sanwoolu is to further enhance trade and commerce and mitigate the hardship of the COVID-19 pandemic,” the tweet read.
Lagos-Ibadan rail to commence operations in September
The Federal Government have revealed that the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) will commence operations on the Lagos-Ibadan rail line from the middle of September.
Managing director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Fidet Okhiria, disclosed this on Saturday in Ibadan, during an inspection tour of the project by the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, and the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.
“We will start by the middle of September from Yaba to Ibadan while the other construction finishing will continue. We already have 24 coaches and a set of DMUs (Diesel Multiple Units) made of eight coaches. With that, we intend to have 16 trips a day,” Okhiria said in a statement.
Nigerian actress, Omotola Ekeinde tests positive for COVID-19
Popular Nollywood actress, Omotola Ekeinde has revealed that she had tested positive for the COVID-19. She took to social media to disclose the news on Saturday via her Twitter handle; explaining that she has been in isolation, receiving treatment for a while.
“Hello All, I know most of you have been wondering where I have been. Well, I contracted Covid. I have been ill and now getting better. More on this details of this soon,” her statement read.
She also took time to speak on the troubling trend of containers crushing innocent people to death on the streets of Lagos State; calling on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to address the situation.
“I have been reading the devastating news of how our youths are needlessly dying and getting crushed by trailers/containers! This is disheartening and has made my heart really troubled! This can happen to anyone and enforcements can’t be taken lightly on this. Gov @jidesanwoolu!!! Please, do something!” she added.
NCDC confirms 298 new COVID-19 cases
298 new cases of #COVID19Nigeria;
Plateau-108
Kaduna-49
Lagos-47
Ogun-18
Osun-17
FCT-15
Ondo-14
Edo-8
Oyo-6
Akwa Ibom-4
Cross River-4
Borno-3
Ekiti-2
Bauchi-1
Kano-1
Rivers-149,068 confirmed
36,497 discharged
975 deaths pic.twitter.com/aIPEWeoFqG— NCDC (@NCDCgov) August 16, 2020
Toluwanimi Onakoya is a spirited writer, creative and videographer. Her biggest drive is to connect with people and depict tales using various forms of media.
Toluwanimi is available on Instagram and Twitter @nimi_onaks
Leave a reply