No Going Back On War Against Touts, Illegal Revenue Collectors – Anambra Council Chairman

By Julie Sylvia, Onitsha

Worried by the continued illegal activities of touts and illegal revenue collectors on the roads in Idemili North local Government Area, Anambra State, the council chairman, Hon. Chuks Igboanua, Tuesday, vowed never to relent in his fight against them.

Hon. Igboanua who said this at the Local Government Council confirmed that “We have been attacking, arresting and dealing with them but I will not tell you the number so far arrested based on security reasons. It is a security matter, the Governor is on it.

“Ocha Brigade has been arresting them within this Idemili North because this is their base, we are coming up, it is gradual process, no going back on the fight against them. It is caused by unemployment,” he stated.

In his efforts towards increasing the revenue base of the council he said that it has not been easy, adding, “Most of the revenue windows in the Local Government Area are still with the State government.

” We have been maximizing the ones we have here to help the Governor. There are ones we are doing at the Local Government level and he (Governor), is doing the other ones in the upper part.

“Within Idemili North here, we have been harnessing everything here in accordance with accountability. Whatever we have, we account for it, the only place we have not gotten assistance is curbing to control the menace of these unknown people, we have inaugurated a strike force of Idemili North but we couldn’t get much assistance because people that are expected to come back did not, because of the particular insecurity. We need vehicles, which is the hindrance to us here”, he explained.

Also on the just concluded children’s day celebration, he said that, “His Excellency, Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo’s, is doing very well because we have been advocating for parents and teachers to impact morals in these children.

He recalled that recently, the Governor caved out job opportunities for 5000 teachers, both Primary and Secondary Schools,” adding that, “he is a teacher, he knows the value of these kids, catch them young because if you don’t, when they grow up, it will be very hard for you to get them.

“The children’s day celebration was successful, it was wonderfully planned and executed. I commend Governor Soludo for reinvigorating sports, children’s day in schools, and this happened after four to five years we had forgot the celebration as a result of Covid-19 pandemic” the council boss stated.

In his own contribution, Hon.Obinna Ikpeze, former Idemili North Local Government Area Chairman, said that, “There is a lot of improvement in the Local Government now than before, even the way the children performed, there is a lot of improvement, and very recommendable.

“The council revenue is in the increase now, the State Government gave out some authorities to council to generate handle, to generate more revenue” he further explained.

He however pointed out that appointing council chairman is not the best, adding that, “If you are elected, you have complete hold of the revenue towards increasing the revenue base, you do what you are suppose to do.

“Since the council is the nearest to the grassroot, so actually it enhances more development. But be it as it may, the state will in due course handover this power to the council, that’s what we are clamouring for through democracy,” he stated.

Pic 1 shows the group photograph of some of the visitors at the Childrens day with theCouncil Charman and the wife at the middle on white and orange colour

Pic shows the council boss presenting trophy to winning school during children’s day celebration