By Barth Ndubuwah, Port Harcourt
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has approved the immediate suspension of the Chairman of Port Harcourt Local Government Area, Hon. Victor Ihunwo for alleged illegal tax collection.
This was contained in a statement issued by the State Commissioner for Information ,Paulinus Nsirim on Thursday in Port Harcourt.
Consquently, traders at the Ogbum-nu-Abali Fruit Garden Market are have been directed not to have any dealing with anyone who claims to be acting on behalf of Port Harcourt Local Government Area.
“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.
The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice has therefore been authorized to institute legal action against the defaulting banks,” the statement said
The statement stressed that Chairmen of Abua Odual and Degema Local Government Areas are still suspended from office as their suspension order is said not to have been lifted.
The Heads of Personnel Management, Heads of Local Government Administration and Treasurers of Abua Odual and Degema Local Government Areas have also been suspended with immediate effect for having official transactions with the said 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, Nsirim said
