By Taiye Bayode.
Kogi State Commissioner for Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Hon. Muhammed Muktar Shuaibu has condemned the recent unjustly treatment of members of Association of Water and Rig Owners Practitioners in the state.
This was disclosed at the Commissioner’s office, after a viral video of the members being threatened with Police by their Indian colleagues made the rounds, in the early hours of Tuesday in Lokoja.
“I woke up to some disturbing video of your Indian colleagues threatening you with Police, simply because this association wanted to know why the Indians were choosing to drill boreholes at exorbitant prices.
“This Ministry isn’t just an organization, but a place to monitor, supervise and regulate all commercial activities of the state, and as such, come in as at when needed, because the government cannot be everywhere,” he said.
Earlier, the Chairman of the association, Kabiru Salihu, explained the root cause of the conflict between both parties, referencing it as a act of superiority complex of the Indians.
“We are fighting for the masses. To drill a borehole in Okene or Kabba is N11,000, no matter the depth of metres drilled. But for some reason, our Indian colleagues here do it for N15,000 in Lokoja, which shouldn’t be so. They feel we can’t stop them simply because the association doesn’t own drilling machines of their own,” Kabiru explained.
“This is something that other people can’t try in their country, so it’s pathetic that the Indians are allowed to try such here and get away with it.”
He explained how the Indians were also fond of doing outside jobs, which is illegal, and pleaded for the Commissioner to use his good office to settle the matter.
Responding, Hon. Shuaibu reiterated the commitment of the administration of Governor Usman Ododo to the commercial boom of the state.
“The Ministry is standing under the government, to see how this matter can be resolved quickly. I want to thank the association for being proactive and getting us involved, without getting violent.
“The truth is that, the price has to be uniform everywhere so that it doesn’t still cause issues later in the future. However, right now, there is a lack of transparency. So we want the Indians to agree on the said price, or they allow the association to do their work, and purchase their own machines.
“So give them this feedback, and by the end of the week, let us know what you both resolve. We are ready to work with anyone, to be successful and generate revenue for this government. However note that this administration is fighting for the masses. And if you can’t sympathize with that, then it’s going to be difficult doing business here.”
