Wike Orders Tax Authorities To Block Leakages

The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has charged the tax authorities in the state to block all revenue leakages with a view to improving the state’s internally generated revenue (IGR).

Speaking at the Government House, Port Harcourt while swearing-in the Body of Tax Appeal Commission, Governor Nyesom Wike, said that the fall in revenue from the federal allocation means that proactive steps must be taken to improve other sources of revenue.

The governor urged the commission  to be committed  to  the  enforcement  of  the extant  tax laws in the  state  for the growth  of the state’s financial base.

He said: “the Board of Internal Revenue has been directed to block all revenue leakages. The Tax Appeal Commission should resolve all the tax disputes that will arise with the interest of the state at heart.

“All appointees of government must be for the development of the state, making the necessary sacrifices in the face of the financial challenges the state is facing. 

At present, we pay salaries and pensions, by augmenting the federal allocation with the Internally Generated Revenue”.

Wike also inaugurated the Board for the Rivers State Roads Maintenance and Rehabilitation Agency, the Rivers State Primary Healthcare Management Board and Board for the Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement.

The governor charged the Road Maintenance Agency to be proactive in tackling potholes on roads in the state before they degenerate.

He advised the Bureau for Public Procurement to diligently scrutinize all contracts in line with the due process requirements.

Responding on behalf of the appointees, Prof Okey Onuchuku, assured that they will work for the development of the state.

Meanwhile, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has approved the appointment of Mr Igonibo Emmanuel Thompson as the acting Director General of Rivers State Bureau for  Public Procurement.

The appointment was contained in a statement signed yesterday by the Special Assistant to the Governor on Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu, in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

Members of the Body of Tax Appeal Commission include Chief Nelson Nworgu, chairman; Mr Noble Owhonda, member; Mr. Michael Vincent, member; Mr. Edwin Krukrubo, member; and Barr. Vitalis Ajoku, member.

Similarly, members of Board for the Rivers State Roads Maintenance and Rehabilitation Agency are Chief Okay Okah, chairman; Engr. Mrs. Okpete Ovai, member; Captain Mike William, secretary; Mr Gideon Demua, member; Mr Achinike Wonodi, member; Mr Ken Nwobochi,  member; and Mrs. Emilia Gilbert-Nte, member.

Members of the Rivers State Primary Healthcare Management Board are Prof. Princewill Anthony Chike, chairman; Dr Rowland Obed-White, executive director; Prof Akuro Gobo, member; Dr. (Mrs) Gladys Okafor, member; Mr Bartimeous Ebirien, member; Mrs. Rose Dopublin-Green, member; Dr. Kinikanwo Green, member; and Chief Noble Diri, member.

Also inaugurated are the following members of the Board for the Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement: Professor Okey Onuchiukwu, chairman; Engr (Dr). Awajiogota A. Ujile, member; Chief Raymond Chinda, member; Hon. Ene Datame, member; Mr. Geoffrey Senior Jaja, member; Mr. Charles Menebo, member; Mrs. Victoria Awuse, member; and Barr. (Mrs) Blessing Eddy-Amadi, member.

Culled from www.tidenewsonline.com