Damian Duruiheoma, Owerri
The Imo State government has cautioned residents to beware of some unscrupulous persons who are going about extorting money from members of the public.
The state commissioner for petroleum and environment, Dr. Ikechukwu Njoku gave the warning in a release issued in Owerri by his special assistant on media and public affairs, Evangelist Bright Eluagu.
According to the release, the extortionists were operating in the guise of ‘environmental levy’, claiming that they are officials of the ministry of petroleum and environment.
The release reads, “It has come to the knowledge of the Hon Commissioner for Petroleum and Environment, Dr Ikechukwu Njoku that some unscrupulous elements have been going about extorting money from members of the public in the guise of environmental levy, which they claim according to confirmed reports, emanated from the Ministry of Petroleum and Environment.
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“We wish to state categorically that such persons do not represent the Ministry of Petroleum and Environment but rather, agents of retrogression who have vowed to sabotage the efforts of the government in its effort to building a state every Imolite will be proud of.”
The commissioner disclosed that already, the law enforcement agencies have been directed to arrest anyone who engages in the above illicit act in order to serve as deterrent to others.
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