The Joint Revenue Board says 18 state Houses of Assembly have adopted a model tax harmonisation law intended to reduce overlapping charges on individuals and businesses.

Executive Secretary Olusegun Adesokan disclosed this at the board’s 160th meeting in Kaduna, where officials reviewed progress and implementation challenges.

According to Adesokan, the framework consolidates more than 50 state and local government collection items into nine categories. He said it also prohibits cash collection and revenue-collection roadblocks.

Adesokan rejected suggestions that the reforms had increased taxes across the board, saying low-income earners and micro-businesses were receiving relief.

Opening the meeting, Kaduna Governor Uba Sani urged revenue authorities to address administrative weaknesses and use technology to improve collection processes.

He emphasised that reform should make compliance easier and strengthen taxpayers’ willingness to meet their obligations, rather than focus solely on increasing revenue.

The board said the meeting would help identify outstanding gaps in implementation. Punch

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The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria has condemned what it described as the arbitrary seizure of private property by some state governments under the guise of the Land Use Act, while commending Uba Sani for adopting what it called a humane and rights-based approach to land acquisition in Kaduna State.

The advocacy group said Governor Sani’s handling of compensation for residents affected by the 15-kilometre Kaduna Ring Road project demonstrates that governments can pursue infrastructure development without trampling on the constitutional rights and economic well-being of citizens.

In a statement issued by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA praised the governor’s declaration that “public interest can never become a justification for injustice” and that development should not impose hardship without fairness and compassion.

According to the group, these principles should serve as the minimum standard for how governors exercise the extensive powers granted under the Land Use Act.

HURIWA stressed that although state governments have the legal authority to acquire land for overriding public interest, such powers must not be exercised arbitrarily or in ways that deprive citizens of their homes, businesses and ancestral lands without prompt, fair and adequate compensation.

The group argued that public interest and the constitutional right to own property are not mutually exclusive, insisting that responsible governance requires a careful balance between development objectives and the protection of citizens’ rights.

It noted that compulsory land acquisition has remained one of the most controversial aspects of governance in Nigeria, with reports from several states alleging that thousands of residents have lost their landed properties without adequate compensation or humane treatment.

According to HURIWA, such complaints have been reported in states including Lagos, Anambra and even Kaduna under the previous administration, leaving many affected families with significant financial and emotional losses.

The organisation, however, described Governor Sani’s decision to slow aspects of the Kaduna Ring Road project to allow transparent valuation of affected properties before compensation as a demonstration of fairness, accountability and respect for the rule of law.

HURIWA also welcomed the governor’s assurance that no resident of Kaduna State would lose property to government projects without receiving fair and adequate compensation.

The rights group noted that the distribution of compensation cheques to 122 affected households and the payment of more than N3 billion to residents affected by various infrastructure projects reflected a governance approach anchored on justice rather than expediency.

It urged governors across the country to institutionalise transparent compensation mechanisms, engage affected communities before acquiring land for public projects and ensure that all affected property owners receive prompt and equitable compensation in line with the Constitution and principles of natural justice.

According to HURIWA, governments are more likely to earn public confidence and legitimacy when infrastructure projects are implemented with fairness, empathy and respect for the rule of law, adding that sustainable development can only succeed when citizens are treated as partners in progress rather than victims of development.

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Widows in Rigachikun, Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, are expressing renewed hope following their resettlement in a free housing estate provided under the Family Homes Funds scheme.

The housing project, developed in collaboration with the Adashe Women Housing and Empowerment Society, is designed to provide safe and dignified accommodation for vulnerable women, particularly widows.

Although 100 housing units were allocated to beneficiaries late last year, initial occupancy remained low due to security concerns and infrastructure challenges, according to the facility manager, Dr Mustapha Umar Kumshe.

He explained that many of the beneficiaries were initially reluctant to move into the estate due to fears over safety and poor access roads.

“After the commissioning, there were gaps and glitches. Many beneficiaries were afraid to relocate due to perceived insecurity,” he said.

However, the situation has improved significantly following enhanced security arrangements, direct engagement with residents, and targeted interventions to address early concerns.

Kumshe disclosed that more than 65 of the housing units are now occupied, with the estate fully equipped with water supply, electricity, solar-powered lighting, and internet services.

The estate was officially inaugurated in the presence of Uba Sani, alongside other government officials and stakeholders, during which beneficiaries received keys to their new homes.

Despite the formal handover, uptake remained slow in the early months, largely due to misinformation and fear among intended occupants.

Management later intensified community engagement efforts and strengthened security within the estate, resulting in increased confidence and rising occupancy levels.

Beneficiaries who spoke with journalists described the initiative as life-changing, expressing gratitude to the government and partner organisations.

One of the residents, Fadila Tahir, said access to stable housing has transformed her life, revealing that she has since remarried after overcoming the challenge of accommodation.

Another beneficiary, Amina Alhassan, said the new home has significantly improved her family’s living conditions, noting that she now enjoys basic amenities previously unavailable to her.

The project is part of broader efforts to address housing deficits among vulnerable populations and improve social welfare outcomes in Kaduna State.

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The Federal Government has handed over 100 two-bedroom energy-efficient homes to widows in Rigachikun, Kaduna State, under the Family Homes Funds Limited (FHFL) Social Housing Programme.

The project, which features urban farming spaces and solar-powered systems, was designed to promote sustainable living and economic empowerment among vulnerable women.

Speaking during the handover, FHFL Chairman Demola Adebise said the initiative represents “renewed hope and restored dignity” for beneficiaries. He noted that the development integrates home ownership with skills training, livelihood support, and climate-smart construction.

The project began when the widows collectively offered their land and sought government partnership to build affordable homes. The collaboration, according to officials, resulted in a model for inclusive housing delivery and empowerment.

Each home was constructed using Expanded Polystyrene System technology, cutting costs and carbon emissions by up to 40 percent. In addition, beneficiaries received livelihood training and cottage yards for food processing and income generation.

Managing Director of FHFL, Abdulmuttalib Mukhtar, described the scheme as proof that effective collaboration between citizens and government can drive measurable social change.

Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, said the project aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at inclusive growth and tangible development outcomes.

Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, commended the initiative as a model of people-centred governance, saying it created over 500 jobs during construction while providing affordable housing for 100 families.

The project was executed in partnership with the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) and the Kaduna State Government.

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The Federal Government has terminated the reconstruction and expansion contract for the Mararaba–Keffi dual carriageway awarded to China Harbour Engineering Company, citing negligence and failure to comply with approved engineering designs despite repeated warnings.

Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, announced that local contractors with proven competence will now handle the project to ensure timely delivery and adherence to standards. He expressed displeasure over the contractor’s poor performance, noting that the slow pace of work has caused severe hardship for commuters and residents along the corridor.

Umahi, who visited the site with the Minister of State for Works, Bello Muhammad Goronyo, and senior officials of the ministry, met with Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule, Senator Ahmed Wadata, and other stakeholders at the Keffi flyover to review the project’s progress.

“We cannot continue to tolerate uncooperative contractors who delay projects and ignore directives,” Umahi stated, reaffirming the government’s commitment to delivering world-class and durable road infrastructure.

In a related development, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani held a strategic meeting with Umahi in Abuja to review the Abuja–Kaduna–Kano Expressway project, focusing on accelerating work on the Abuja–Jere–Kaduna segment, a critical route serving millions of Nigerians daily.

Sani described the expressway as an economic corridor vital to Northern Nigeria’s development and aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to modernise infrastructure and enhance national competitiveness. Umahi commended the governor’s proactive involvement and disclosed that contractors have been directed to operate double shifts to fast-track completion without compromising quality.

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Speaking during his Eid el-Fitr Sallah homage, “Gaisuwar Sallah,” at the Emir of Zazzau’s palace in Zaria on Tuesday, he urged them to foster peaceful coexistence.

Represented by his Special Adviser on Traditional Affairs, Alhaji Muktar Shehu, the governor revealed that complaints had been received about land grabs by village and ward heads.

He stressed that all land belongs to the government and must be acquired through the appropriate authorities to maintain peace.

The governor encouraged traditional leaders to uphold harmony in their communities to ensure continuous development.

Sani also urged farmers to return to their farms, assuring them that security conditions in various parts of the state had improved.

In his remarks, the Emir of Zazzau, Malam Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, reiterated his directive for district, village, and ward heads to stop unfair treatment of their subjects.

He also warned them against collaborating with illegal miners operating within their domains.

The emir emphasized that before any mining activities proceed, proper verification by relevant authorities is required, and the emirate must be duly informed.

He cautioned village heads against encroaching on land allocated to the Ministry of Forestry, stating that they should only manage properties belonging to the emirate.

“All lands belong to the government,” he declared, adding that those found illegally occupying such land would face legal consequences.

Additionally, he reminded traditional titleholders with dual appointments to resign from one position as directed by the state government, warning that failure to comply would lead to dismissal.

The emir called for unity, brotherhood, and stronger collaboration among traditional leaders to ensure lasting peace and stability in the region.

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In an emotional appeal during an interview, Sani said the move was born out of the cries for help from residents and traditional leaders in areas like Chikun, Kagarko, Giwa, Kajuru, and Birnin Gwari. These communities have endured over a decade of unrelenting banditry, marked by tragic losses, displacement, and destruction.

“The Emir of Birnin Gwari and his people came to me, desperate for a solution. I couldn’t ignore their pleas. I’d rather sit with bandits to seek peace than bear the guilt of another life lost in Kaduna,” Sani stated.

The governor revealed that his administration’s approach was not rushed but followed consultations with key stakeholders, including the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. These discussions ensured the initiative aligned with broader security efforts while focusing on the immediate needs of the people.

Through the ongoing negotiations, 200 abducted persons from Giwa and Birnin Gwari have already regained their freedom. Sani expressed hope that the dialogue would restore peace, allow displaced farmers to return to their land, and rebuild shattered livelihoods.

Amid public concern over possible ransom payments, Sani firmly denied any financial transactions. “Not a single naira was paid to them. This progress is thanks to the support and efforts of our traditional and religious leaders. It took six months of painstaking negotiations before we made it public,” he clarified.

Sani emphasized that his administration’s moral obligation is to protect lives, calling the initiative a matter of conscience. “If I fail to act and another life is lost, I will be held accountable on the day of resurrection. My promise to protect the people of Kaduna is one I intend to keep,” he said.

While the peace talks have sparked debate, with critics questioning their long-term impact, Sani remains optimistic. He views the initiative as a critical step toward breaking the cycle of violence and bringing lasting relief to Kaduna’s beleaguered communities.

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