Gov Ododo Vows to Protect Kogi Cashew Farmers, Tackle Multiple Taxation and Illegal Collections
Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has assured cashew farmers and investors operating in the state of his administration’s full protection against exploitation, multiple taxation and illegal revenue collection.
The Governor described cashew as one of Kogi’s most valuable economic assets, with huge potential to earn foreign exchange and create thousands of jobs for youths.
Governor Ododo gave the assurance on Tuesday while receiving key stakeholders in the cashew value chain at the Government House in Lokoja.
According to him, the remarkable growth of cashew farming in Kogi has become a game-changer, taking many young people off the streets and providing them with a sustainable means of livelihood. He commended the farmers and industry leaders for their resilience and for partnering with his administration to grow the state’s economy.
He emphasized that cashew remains a premium export commodity in the global market and Kogi, which boasts some of the finest cashew nuts in West Africa, must be positioned to benefit maximally from it.
The Governor issued a stern warning to individuals and groups involved in illegal revenue collection from farmers and other legitimate businesses.
He stated that his government will not hesitate to arrest and prosecute anyone caught operating outside the approved revenue collection framework of the state.
To this end, he has directed the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KGIRS) to urgently streamline the revenue system and eliminate all forms of multiple taxation and extortion affecting cashew farmers.
Ododo lamented that illegal collections not only frustrate farmers but also rob the state government of legitimate revenue, as funds end up in private pockets instead of government coffers.
“Our administration will continue to block all revenue leakages and strengthen our internal revenue system to ensure every kobo is properly accounted for and used for the development of our dear state,” the Governor said.
He expressed optimism that with proper structuring, Kogi cashew will soon be traded in dollars on the international market, a move that will boost its value and make Kogi farmers more competitive globally.
Earlier in his remarks, the Director-General of the Kogi State Commodity Exchange, Export Promotion and Market Development Agency (KOSCEPA), Adewale Victor Omofaiye, thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support for the agricultural sector and lauded Governor Ododo for his deliberate policies to develop agriculture in Kogi.
On his part, the Chairman of the Kogi State Committee on Cashew Export and Investment, Dr. Idris Yakubu, said the Governor’s support has renewed confidence among farmers and investors. He noted that the entire cashew value chain, from production to processing and export, has the capacity to transform Kogi’s economy if properly harnessed, but called for improved security around farming communities to protect lives and investments.
Abdulkarim Shuaib, who spoke for Kogi Central, urged the government to invest in logistics, road infrastructure and electricity in major cashew-producing areas to support processing and storage.
From Kogi East, Sulieman Muhammed Kabir decried the heavy burden of multiple taxation on farmers, while representatives from Kogi West highlighted the widespread cultivation of cashew at the grassroots and called for more government incentives to unlock its full economic potential.
They collectively appealed to the government to ensure that only authorized and duly recognised revenue officials are allowed to collect levies from operators in the sector.
Governor Ododo assured them of his continued commitment to supporting policies that will strengthen the entire cashew value chain and make Kogi a leading cashew hub in Africa
