22nd July, 2024
…wants residents to stop dealings with CTC LGAs
…Don’t pay revenue CTCs in LGAs
By Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt
The Martin Amaewhule led lawmakers of Rivers House of Assembly on Monday called on members of the public desist forthwith from paying levies, taxes to the 23 local government Caretaker Committees in the state.
The lawmakers made the call during the sitting when the House Leader of the faction Hon. Major Jack, drew the attention to what he described as illegal activities of some people in the State, who, according to him, have been masquerading as Chairmen and members of Caretaker Committees of councils.
He added that the individuals are going about imposing and collecting fees, levies and rates from unsuspecting members of the public, in breach of the recent Supreme Court judgement, and the provisions of the Rivers State Local Government (Amendment)Law, 2023 that prohibit Caretaker Committees in whatever guise or nomenclature.
Debating on the statement by the House Leader, Members condemned and berated those they described as impostors.
They also warned all banks, traditional rulers, government at all levels, non- governmental organizations and those doing business in Rivers State not to transact any business with unelected individuals parading as Caretaker Chairmen, as they are threats to the fragile peace in the State.
Commenting on the House Leader’s statement, the “Speaker, Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule, averred that more worrisome is the fact that these individuals not known to law go to the banks and withdraw monies meant for the Local Government Councils for wanton squandering in the name of non existing Caretaker committees”.
Speaking further, Rt. Hon. Amaewhule urged the Police and other security agencies to swing into action and arrest the impostors to avoid break down of law and order in the State.
Amaewhule emphasized that the Rivers State House of Assembly in accordance with the provisions of Section 7(1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as altered has directed that only democratically elected officials are to manage the Local Government Councils in the state.
He added that Section 64(1) of the Rivers State Local Government Law No. 5 of 2018, further empowers the House to give directive that only democratically elected officials should pilot the affair of the Councils.
Reiterating the position of the House, the Speaker stated that the House would not fold its arms and condone the crass disregard to the the laws of the State and the judgement of the Supreme Court of the land by some impostors.