Wike Sacks Three Local Council Bosses Over Illegal Tax Collection

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Three caretaker committee chairmen in Rivers State have been sacked by the state Governor, Mr Nyesom Wike.

The three affected persons are Mrs Goodnews Ozioma Amadi of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Mr Bishop Best of Ikwerre Local Government Area and that of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area of the state.

According to a statement issued by the Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor on Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu, the sack of the three local council bosses takes immediate effect.

They were shown thrown out from office for allegedly collecting illegal taxes and revenues from companies operating in the state.

“Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has approved the sack of the Caretaker Committee Chairmen of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area and Ikwerre Local Government Area.

The Governor sacked the three Caretaker Committee Chairmen for collecting illegal revenues from companies,” the statement issued by Mr Nwakaudu on Saturday stated.

A copy of the levies allegedly collected by one of the councils from firms in Rivers State showed that companies were asked to pay for loading and offloading fee, power and energy permit, and township permit.

Others are flood and erosion control fee, local government sanitation fee, cargo permit, delivery permit, vehicle parking permit, poverty alleviation fee, heavy duty fee, sewage permit, deregulation fee amongst others.