The Governor-elect of Anambra State, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, has vowed to hit the ground running on the morning of his swearing-in by terminating all revenue windows in the state using executive order.
Soludo, who gave the hint while addressing stakeholders of the state in Agulu, Anaocha Local Government Area of the state, said the aim is to stop the stealing of the state’s resources by revenue thieves.
He said: “We learnt revenue windows are already being distributed. Is Nzekwu (State revenue boss) here? You people have started sharing windows (laughs), yes, you people are sharing windows.
“But, when you are sharing the windows, please be telling those you’re sharing them to that it stops on 16th March. Anyone you are giving window, tell them it will end on 16th March. Yes, whoever you are giving, endeavour to tell them, because on 17th morning, I will sign an executive order cancelling all of them.”
The former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor noted that some people have for long been living off state funds and eking a good living from it.
While saying that such people will be the first to call out government for not building infrastructure.
He added: “It cannot work; we have to decide if we want this to continue. If the decision is that we should continue with such illegal practice, we will quietly dust ourselves and join those who want to go on exile.
“But I’m sure we want things to work. For the sake and benefits of our children and children’s children, every kobo of state fund must go into state coffers and be made to work for the people, and there is no question about it.
“I will be coming into Anambra as governor to correct a lot of ills.”
Soludo said that if the people were not ready to make things work, he would be happy to dust off his feet and join the bandwagon of those who want to go abroad on exile.
“They are people who are used to this (revenue theft), that is what they do, that is what they thrive on, and they have made their whole living off the state.
“But they will be the first to tell government to build roads, and blame government for all the potholes on our roads, but the little that should accrue to government, they collect it and put in their pockets,” he said.
(News Express)
