The paramount ruler of Itsekiri Land and Olu of Warri, His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III, has banned the collection of development fees, otherwise known as ‘deve’ across Itsekiri communities.
The monarch also released new requirements and conditions that must be fulfilled by Itsekiris, who are seeking to become chiefs in his kingdom.
The revered traditional ruler disclosed this in a statement weekend, stating that the cancellation of the deve collection will foster rapid development of Itsekiri communities and ensure that his subjects return home to their villages.
Olu of Warri, who also directed Itsekiris to return home and develop their ancestral communities, noted that burials and traditional marriages should be held in their various communities henceforth.
While enjoining Itsekiris to unite and return to the traditional practice of communal caring for one another, the Itsekiri monarch declared, “No more taxing or collecting deve”.
Meanwhile, the Delta State Prevention and Prohibition of Destruction and Vandalization of Public Properties and Assets Bill, 2024, has scaled through a second reading on the State House of Assembly floor.
The bill, which was read the second time during Wednesday’s plenary session of the House presided over by the speaker, Hon Dennis Guwor, has the member representing Okpe State Constituency and chairman of Assembly Committee on Public Accounts, Hon (Chief) James Augoye as lead sponsor. It also has 19 co-sponsors.
The bill, according to Hon Augoye, who led the debate on its merits, seeks to criminalise the acts of vandalising public properties across all sectors in the State.
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