The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has approved the immediate suspension of the Chairman of Port Harcourt Local Government Area (PHALGA), Hon. Victor Ihunwo for illegal tax collection. In the same vein, traders at the Ogbum-nu-Abali Fruit Garden Market have been directed not to have any dealing with anyone who claims to be acting on behalf of PHALGA.
A statement by the State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim, said Government has also removed JAAC Accounts from all the Banks that gave loans to some Local Government Councils without the authorisation of the State Government as provided in the Local Government Law. Consequently, “the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice has therefore been authorized to institute legal action against the defaulting banks”, the statement said.
Meanwhile, the statement continued that the Chairmen of Abua and Degema Local Government Areas still remain suspended from office as their suspension order has not been lifted. The statement further stated that certain key officials of the Abua and Degema Local Government Areas are also suspended for having dealings with the suspended Chairmen.
“Therefore, the Heads of Personnel Management, Heads of Local Government Administration and Treasurers of Abua and Degema Local Government Areas are hereby suspended with immediate effect for having official transactions with the suspended Local Government Chairmen. “The Permanent Secretary, Local Government Service Commission is hereby directed to post officers of the same designations to replace the suspended officers immediately”, the statement concluded.
