EKPOMA- Councilors of Esan West Lcoal Government Council, Edo State have stalled the presentation of 2015 Budget Estimate by the council chairman, Chief Saturday Ogbeide.
The local government legislators similarly ordered the stoppage of collection of levies and rates by some contractors, pending the outcome of investigation into their alleged illegal activities.
Part of their grouse according to some the legislators stem from the chairman’s alleged refusal to honour invitation to appear before them to explained the financial expenditure of the previous year.
They insisted that they would not approve any budget until performance of the previous year had been satisfactorily explained, maintaining that they must perform the duties for which they were elected.
The Leader of the council legislators, Hon. Isaac Abhulimen accused the executive arm of collecting taxes above the stipulated amount in the bye-law from traders and shop owners.
“In some instances we approved N1000, but they collect N2000. Where we approved N2000, they collect as high as N5000 from people. So we have directed that the collections should stop till we finish our investigations.
The chairman in his response apologized to the legislators over his ability to honour the invitation which he blamed on pressure of work, and pledged to furnish the House with explanations they have demanded.
He however denied knowledge of exorbitant collections by revenue contractors, ordering the police to arrest any body found collecting taxes above the stipulated amount.
The budget presentation was consequently shifted to a later date.
