FROM IKHILI EBALU, BENIN CITY
Edo State governor, Monday Okpebholo has approved the immediate suspension of all consultancy services and related providers in the public service.
According to a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, this was contained in a communication notice issued by the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Umar Ikhilor.
The governor suspended all financial transactions and related services with the affected consultants and service providers pending a review by the committee.
Also, all accounting officers, heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, are expected to take note and comply strictly with this directive.
Earlier at a press conference in Benin, the SSG told journalists that only the Edo State Revenue Service licenced agents are allowed to collect revenue in the state.
“The attention of the Edo State government has been drawn to the continuous collection of revenue across the state by unlicensed agents and touts who do not have the authority of government to do so.
“While the suspension of all non-commissioned officials in the collection of revenue remains in place, henceforth only statutory and licensed revenue collectors are mandated to operate and collect revenue on behalf of government, especially in motor parks and other spheres of commercial activities.
“The public is hereby notified to report any unlicensed agent to the police, as government will not hesitate to arrest and prosecute those found wanting in this regard. These miscreants, their sponsors and agents are warned not to test the iron will of this government and its determination to secure the lives and property of the good people of Edo State,” he warned.
Also speaking, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Samson Osagie, warned that anyone collecting revenue without a licence from the state revenue service is committing a crime and liable to arrest by security agents.
He stressed that revenue collection is a matter of law and not politics.
