BENIN CITY: A special Committee has been set up by the Edo State Government and mandated to fine turn the proposed bill that will harmonize revenue collection by the various local government areas in the state.

This position was made known by the Executive Chairman of Edo State Internal Revenue Service Osani Elamah shortly after a meeting held with the executive governor of the state at government house in Benin City, the Edo State capital.

Elama said this step taken by the state government is to eliminate cash as a means of revenue collection as it is preparing a platform where revenue will be collected through the use of POS or revenue scratch cards to ensure accountability and transparency as the government has feel the purse of the people and are doing everything to sanitize the system and put in place a system that will treat the Edo citizen with dignity in the collection of revenue.

Speaking further, Osani Elamah said the committee which will be chaired by the deputy governor of the state Rt.Hon Philip Shuiabu, has the Secretary to the state Government Barr. Osarodion Ogie, his humble self and the three representatives of local government heads from the three Senatorial District have till 15th of January to complete the assignment so that the state House of Assembly will consider the Bill which is title “A Bill For The Edo State Local Government Harmonized Uniform Levies, Rate, Fees And Charges Laws 2017”.

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The head of Local government administration, Esan South East Ubiaja Dea. (Barr.) Macaulay Ehonor speaking on behalf of the local government councils appreciated the zeal and courage of the Godwin Obaseki led administration for taken the bold step to sanitize the system which will enable the government to render quality services to the people of Edo State and ensuring that there is accountability and transparency. “The stand of the government is very clear and as we go back to our various stations we will ensure that the instruction and decision reached in this meeting will be implemented and we would join hands with the governor to develop the state”.

The Edo State Police Commissioner Haliru Gwandu has assured the people of the state that the pronouncement of the executive Governor on the ban of collection of revenue in the state will be implemented fully as the command has put in place 20 squad that will go round to ensure that there is diligent compliance to the pronouncement of the governor. “We have put in place 20 squad and their job is to go round and ensure that there is diligent compliance. Mine is to ensure the order is carried out and obeyed to the fullest. Actors and non actors are all suppose to cooperate with the government and we would ensure that the order is enforce. I will hold meetings with my area commanders to ensure that the order is obeyed throughout the state and ensure that things are done the right way. There is the need to ensure sanity in the system”.

The meeting was attended by the executive governor of Edo State Mr. Godwin Obaseki, Heads of Local Government Councils, Ministry of Local Government and internal Revenue Service.