By; Mohammed Kawu, Bauchi
It is now an offence in Bauchi state to use proliferated different weights and measures in all businesses against the unified standard one introduced by the state government following the signing into law the Executive Order 2 by Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed
Assenting to the Order 2 in Bauchi Thursday, the Governor 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 recognizes the need to protect the consumer by maintaining standard and unified weight and measures in the state, saying by this order, the use of all old weight and measures presently in circulation is banned and prohibited.
Governor Bala therefore mandated the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to produce and 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“All the old weight and measures that are different from the approved unified ones shall henceforth be mopped up and withdrawn from circulation by Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.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 term may extend to six months imprisonment and five Hundred thousand Naira fine.”
The governor also signed the Executive Order No.1 of 2024 On Community & Environmental Protection, Public Safety & Security and Prohibition of Deforestation in Bauchi state.
It said by this Order, “No Traditional or Community leader shall issue any consent letters to any individual or corporate body for any excavation activity or 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(ies) 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 Environmental Impact Assessment Act ( CAP.E12) LFN 2004.
“Any individual or company found carrying out any activity(ies) 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 (3) years or fine which may extend to One Million Naira (1,000,000.00) 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 Five Hundred Thousand Naira (500,000.00) or imprisonment for a term not less than 1 year, or both.”
Similarly signed into law by Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed is the Executive Order No.3 of 2024 on the removal of illegal structures in the state, as he directed for full compliance by the Order with immediate effect.
The order seeks to ban or prohibits further issuance of permits along road corridors, green areas, right of way, utility areas or setbacks in the state by any of the Ministries or Departments, Parastatals and Local Government Councils
According to the Order 3 provisions, any person who fails to comply with the provision of the Order or afformentioned laws shall be liable on conviction to a 3 months imprisonment or a fine of One Hundred Thousand Naira or both.
“It shall be an offence under this Order to Obstruct, hinder or resist any authorized officer to carryout or execute his or her lawful duties. Without any excuse, refuse or willfully fail to comply with any inquiries on directives made by any officer or Task Force in accordance with the Order.
Impersonate an officer or duties of the Board, Agency or Task Force’s Staff, attempt, aid, abet, process, counsel or carryout any action which is tantamount to the enforcement of this Order. Omit or commit any act that is inimical to free conduct, compliance and obedience to any provision of this order and afformentioned laws.”
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