From Nnamdi Ofonye, Owerri
Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, has been urged by the State House of Assembly to mandate all oil companies operating in the state, to without further delay, remit to the board of internal revenues all levies and rents accruable to the state government as tenement and ground rents since 1978 which amounts to over N40bn.
Deliberating on a motion sponsored by the member representing Oguta State Constituency in the House of Assembly, Henry Ezediaro, the house unanimously adopted the motion and thereafter, set up a 9 member committee to interface with the oil companies and report back their findings to the house within 60 days.
In the motion supported by 3 other members, Henry Ezediaro maintained that with the present economic meltdown facing the country and its resultant effect on state governments, the house should explore all channels to assist the executive arm of government to generate funds to enable it render services to the people of the state.
He further argued that the actions of the companies whom he also accused of negligence to the plights of their host communities in the area of providing of social amenities will no longer be tolerated or condoned.
