The financial recklessness of the board of Internal Revenue in Rivers State is raising serious concerns amongst Rivers people on the ways and manner the Executive Chairman of the board, Onene Osila Obelle-Oshoko in collaboration with the former Governor of Rivers State, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi squandered billions of naira and left an empty treasury to the detriment of the people.
It was alleged that the Internal Revenue boss caged the finances of Rivers people on the orders of the former Governor and did his bidding by brazenly supporting the All Progressives Congress (APC) and even bankrolled Dakuku Peterside’s Governorship elections. She was seen to be the brain behind the victory of the APC candidate in the Rivers State House of Assembly(Eleme Constituency) Hon. Josiah Olu, the only minority lawmaker in the hallowed chambers.
Reports reaching our news desk revealed that top staff of the board are from her area, some of them, it was alleged are her in-laws, brothers, sisters and close relations who do not have requisite qualifications to occupy positions of trust, thereby promoting touts to replace professionalism. Our checks further gathered that officers in the junior cadre were recommended and promoted on her orders to the position of director.
Rivers people are sad and tired of the fraudulent activities of the executive chairman and her cohorts, adding that she jettisoned due process in her considerations and embraced overwhelming fraud. It was also reported that all juicy contracts in the service were reserved for her friends, relations, and some faceless, non-existent consultants as a ploy to defraud Rivers State of Her money.
According to some concerned Rivers people, their worry is hinged on the fact that core financial experts and professionals employed by her predecessors were transferred to other ministries to give room for her to perfect her greed and tricks to further siphoned Rivers money, using her cronies and relations to do the crime.
The IRS boss was alleged to have reduced professionalism to nothing as she pays lesser qualified persons higher than core professionals.
Rivers people further observed that there are plans and attempt by some unscrupulous elements who does not serve the interest of the State, planning to recruit some persons or consultants to manage the service.
This development really irked Rivers people who immediately called on the Governor of the State, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike to intervene and save Rivers State from devourers, saying that the state is blessed with well qualified chartered accountants and financial experts who can deliver as at when due with the view to place Rivers State on a stable financial map.
With the financial recklessness in the Internal Revenue Board, Rivers people are, however, happy with the emergence of a prudent finance manager, Dr. Fred Kpakol as the new Commissioner of Finance, pointing out that His Excellency, Governor Wike made a good choice. It added that the appointment came at the right time when the state was really yearning for vibrant financial stability.
They said kpakol will reposition the finance sector and add value to cleanse the rot of the past administration, while also calling on the governor to dissolve the Oshoko-led Board of Internal Revenue and bring in fresh blood that will assist in steering the ship of the State to a greater height, thereby stamping out financial insanity.
