The news being peddled that the subvention to the Oba of Benin was reduced, has been described by the Edo State Government as incorrect, stating that since Governor Godwin Obaseki came into office, subvention given to the Oba and all traditional rulers has increased
The government averred that, the subvention to the monarch increased due to the Value Added Tax (VAT) and the excess crude components that have been added.
Going deeper into the subvention brouhaha, the government also disclosed that the total amount allocated to all the traditional rulers in the State is N1,316,746,764.13, with the traditional rulers in Edo South Senatorial District receiving N639,269,245.26.
The Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Osa Nehikhare, restating this at a media briefing in his office on Tuesday, called on Edo people to be wary of misinformation. Lamenting that the fake news was being peddled by mischief makers. He explained that everything is being done according to the law.
The commissioner emphatically stated that, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku’ Akpolokpolo Ewuare II, the revered Oba of Benin remains a father they cherish so much. He made it clear that government cannot take Oba’s words for granted.
Nehikhare emphasized that, “the Oba of Benin’s position as the permanent head of all the traditional rulers in Edo State remains sacrosanct. Continuing, he averred that the position remains unchanged in the State Government’s implementation of the Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Edict of 1979. This is more especially as it relates to section 45 of the edict.”
According to the commissioner, there was a recent disagreement among some traditional rulers in the State. The disagreement resulted in the agreement by traditional rulers and the State Government to temporarily warehouse the fund in a central pool.
The fund was agreed to be warehoused until the administrative issues were sorted out. This was between the period of April and July 2023.
The commissioner also noted that it not true that the fund was withheld from July 2022 to July 2023. He explained that all statutory payment was paid until April 2023, when it was agreed for the funds to be warehoused till date.
SOURCE: Independent
IMAGE: Twitter
