Don’t Test Okpebholo’s ‘Iron Will,’ Edo Govt Warn Illegal Revenue Collectors

The Edo State government on Monday warned illegal revenue collectors across the state not to test the ‘iron will’ of Governor Monday Okpebholo in dealing decisively with non-state actors who are engaged in harassing and collecting revenue from various motor parks and other places in the state.

This is as the secretary to the state  government announced the immediate suspension of all consultancy services and related providers in the state public service.

The secretary to the state government, Musa Ikhilor while addressing a press conference in Government House, Benin was flanked by the Chief of Staff to the government, Hon Gani Audi, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr Samson Osagie and also in attendance is the commissioner for Health, Dr Cyril Oshiomhole.

Ikhilor called on the public to be vigilant and report to security agencies to apprehend and prosecute anybody found flaunting the orders of the state government adding that anybody interested in collecting revenue on behalf of the government must apply and sort approval from the state board of internal revenue.

On his part, the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr Samson Osagie said revenue collection is a matter of law and not politics noting Governor Okpebholo is committed to govern Edo within the ambit of the law.

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The statement read by the SSG noted, “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 noncommissioned officers of revenue collection is still in place henceforth only statutory and licensed revenue collectors are mandated to operate and collect revenue on behalf of government especially at motor parks and other spheres of commercial activities.

“The public is hereby notified to report unlicensed agents to the police as the government will not hesitate to arrest and prosecute those found wanting in this regard. These agents, their sponsors 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 further added, “Senator Monday Okpebholo has received briefs from security agencies and the police to be very much aware because we see clearly how this thing is tied to security challenges and tension.

So, all security agents operating within the state have been briefed on this matter and they are very much on top of the game to arrest unauthorised collectors.

Osagie stressed Samson Osagie, “I think it needs to be emphasised that revenue collection is a matter of law and not politics and this Governor Monday Okpebholo is committed to following the law in whatever he has set to do in realising his vision for Edo State.

“And that was why when that statement was issued it was in recognition of the fact that there are illegal revenue collectors harassing the people of Edo State and he promised that he was going to defend their rights and ensure that those harassment does not occur.  So to that extent the point being made today is that if you are not licensed by the only legal statutory body in Edo state to collect revenue you have no business jumping on the street to collect revenue.

“This government is committed to having a society governed by law not by the whims and caprices of individuals because this government is committed to working for Edo people within the ambit of the law.