Nigeria’s 36 state governors have agreed to eliminate unauthorised roadblocks and curb the imposition of multiple levies nationwide.
The decision emerged following a meeting of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), held in Abuja and concluded in the early hours of Thursday.
Delivering the communiqué at the end of the session, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu announced that the governors resolved to tackle the issue of unlawful roadblocks and overlapping taxes, which they believe contribute significantly to the rising cost of food.
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The communiqué was endorsed by the NGF Chairman and Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
According to the statement: “The Forum received a briefing from the National Security Adviser (NSA), accompanied by the Honourable Ministers of Defence, Agriculture, Livestock Development, and Transportation, on the rising cost of food and livestock transportation across the country.
“The presentation revealed that the proliferation of checkpoints, illegal taxation, and poor infrastructure are key contributors to price inflation and inefficiencies in the food supply chain.
“The NSA noted that a high-level inter-ministerial committee has been established to address these concerns and has submitted its recommendations for the endorsement of the forum.
“Governors acknowledged the urgency of the matter and expressed commitment to collaborate with federal authorities to streamline levies, dismantle unauthorised checkpoints, and improve the movement of goods across states.”
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When approached for comments after the meeting, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu declined to speak on the discussions.
The emergency gathering took place amid worsening insecurity in parts of the country, with growing calls for joint action by both federal and state governments.
