By Ogochukwu Isioma, in Benin City
The Edo State Government, under the leadership of Governor Monday Okpebholo, has placed a ban on direct cash collection in respect of revenue collection in the State.
This is coming on the heels of the series of complaints that some persons masquerading as revenue officers in the guise of unionists are extorting commercial bus drivers and market women across the state.
In a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilor, Esq., on Tuesday, government has adopted the existing template developed by the Edo State Internal Revenue Service (EIRS) for revenue collection.
“Government has fully resolved that the System of revenue collection in the State shall solely be predicated on the existing template developed by the EIRS in conjunction with the Local Government Councils and the various Associations in the State,” the statement reads in part.
The statement reiterated on the earlier ban on unlicensed agents and touts from revenue collection across the State.
According to the SSG, the direction, which only recognized EIRS’ licensed Agents, was to ensure the protection of the citizenry from any form of extortion as well as safeguard State revenue collection processes from any leakage.
“Security Agents have been put on alert and any person or group who decides to flout this directive would be held accountable,” added SSG Ikhilor.
