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Tag: Ondo govt

  • APC chieftain, Ondo govt. trade words over state finances

    APC chieftain, Ondo govt. trade words over state finances

    About N400 billion could not be accounted for by the administration of Dr. Olusegun Mimiko in Ondo State, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Jamiu Ekungba has alleged.

    According to the politician, “Ondo State has, in the last seven and a half years, collected over N600 billion from the Federation Account but we cannot, see tangible development that is reflective of the huge receipts.”

    But the state government, in a swift reaction, described Ekungba’s allegation as “a figment of his imagination that should not be taken seriously by right-minded people.”

    Ondo Commissioner for Information Kayode Akinmade, said: “It has become the stock in trade of APC politicians to want to pull Mimiko down by all means. This is one of their outbursts to carry out their plans but we are undaunted.”

    The APC chief, an accountant and former banker, who is also aspiring to emerge as the candidate of the party in the forthcoming November 26 governorship election in the state, alleged that the incumbent governor has ran the state aground.

    He said, “I have records that show that Ondo had collected over N600 billion under this administration. They claimed that they are paying N4 billion as wage bill. In 84 months that they are going to be in office, the total wage would have cost N336 billion.

     “That gives us a balance of N264 billion. Add that to what would have been received in forms of loans, bonds, Internal Generated Revenue (IGR) and other sources, you are going to have something in the range of N400 billion.

    “Of course, the government still has about seven months to stay in office to collect more money even while it is owing about six months salary arrears to workers. The economy of the state is in deep trouble because of the profligacy of a governor that met over N36 billion in the coffers at his inauguration.”

    The APC chief also accused the state government of squandering many opportunities to develop the state through pursuits of parochial interests and lack of genuine commitment to the welfare of the people.

    According to him, a case in point is the relocation of the multi-billion Dangote Refinery from Ondo to Lagos. The project, which is coming on stream very soon with all the socio-economic benefits, was initially located in Ondo, but the Mimiko administration allowed that great project to slip away.”

     

  • Proprietors, Ondo Govt row over taxes

    Members of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) in Ondo State are in a row with the state government over alleged hostile policies against them.

    Consequently, they have been staging protests over what they called heavy taxation imposed on them by the state government.

    Members of the association who expressed their grievances by marching from Igbatoro road to the state secretariat last Thursday were however prevented from proceeding to the governor’s office by armed policemen.

    The Union had earlier given a seven-day ultimatum (which elapsed last Tuesday) to the state government to reverse its policies and reduce the taxes or risk issues that could negatively affect the education sector in the state.

    Addressing reporters during the protest, NAPSS President, Goke Orimoloye, said the taxes collected from schools by the government was affecting the smooth development of private educational institutions in the state.

    Orimoloye said the government is collecting an aggregate tax of N3 million annually from an average private school.

    He complained that the schools pay huge sums of money to the state government, Ministry of Education and the local governments on the same form of taxation.

    The NAPPS President said, “The Board of Internal Revenue collects N2,000,000 yearly, we pay the Ministry of Education a renewal college fee for (college) N125,000 and N80,000 for Primary.

    “We pay N30,000 to the local government on  Business Premises. The Ministry of Education also collect N90,000 for JSS 3 Examination for 60 Students, while SS 2 Examination we pay N55,000 for 55 students.

    “For the Primary six School examination, the ministry of education also collects from us, N50,000 for 50 pupils. Our Tenement rates which we pay to the local government is between N50,000 to N120,000 yearly. Local government vehicle document (mobile advert) is N20,000. Signage to the Board of Internal Revenue is N15,000.

    “Rebranding of vehicle in FRSC colour (per bus) N150,000; we are also paying re-accredication fees for Colleges to the Ministry of Education for N50,000 and Primary for N30,000. For Sanitation we pay N50,000. In total, the ministry of education is collecting N480,000 yearly from us, local government, N50,000, Board of internal revenue, N2,015,200; FRSC, N150,000 and Ministry of Environment, N50,000.”

    Orimoloye condemned the tactics the government agents employed in collecting the taxes, saying sometimes they would lock up the schools and chase away their students.

    He also flayed the government for not listening to their complaints.

    “Rather than given us an audience, they have resorted to threats, intimidation and harassment of our members. The meeting that was held was a ploy by the government to frustrate our protest rally and those that attended the meeting are in government pay-roll or officials of the government.

    He noted that the issue of re-accreditation fee for secondary schools came up few weeks ago when the government directed them to pay N50,000 for accreditation to serve as WAEC centres – including schools that had been accredited before.

    Orimoloye said it was only in Ondo State that private school proprietors were charged heavily when compared with other states in the south west.

    “For instance, we are paying N125,000 for renewal fee, while other states like Ekiti pay N39,000, Edo, N11,000, Osun, N30,000 and presently Ogun is not collecting renewal fees from proprietors,” he said.

    He also said that all attempts by the association to dialogue with Governor Olusegun Mimiko had failed as they were denied access to see him unlike their counterparts like NURTW, ACCOMORON among others.

    Orimoloye said the government had failed to realize that private schools were providing unemployment to young graduates, urging the government to stop treating them like a prisoners in their own state.

    Reacting, the Commissioner for Education, Jide Adejuyigbe said that the state government would constitute a seven-member committee, including NAPSS, to deliberate with a view to resolving the conflict amicably.

     

  • Ondo monarch suspended

    A traditional ruler of Igburowo community in Odigbo Local government area of Ondo State,Oba Pius Adewola has been suspended.

    His suspension was contained in a letter dated February 7, 2013, and signed by the Permanent Secretary, Ondo State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. A.O Adeola

    The development was hinged on a petition by the people of Igburowo Community to the Ondo State Government, requesting for “deposition” of the traditional ruler.

    The letter stated that the request for suspension was also made in respect of several allegations levied against the monarch by his subjects.

    It reads: “I am directed to refer your attention to the above subject as quoted in a letter written by Igburowo Community to the Governor of Ondo State and to inform you that following various allegations levied against you, the state government has resolved to set up a panel of enquiry with a view to dispassionately arbitrate on the matter.

    “In the interim, you have been suspended with immediate effect, you are therefore requested to stay away from office and stop parading yourself henceforth as the Akamuja of Igburowo land until the report of the panel is received.

    “This is to ensure proper administration of justice and to prevent breakdown of law and order in the community.”