Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, who has been in office for six weeks now, has been actively engaged in actions focused on reinvigorating the governance machinery in Delta State.
In his pursuit of reconstituting the State Executive Council, the Governor has undertaken measures to ensure the optimal functioning of essential government departments and agencies, aligning with his M.O.R.E Agenda.
As a strategic move to restructure and improve government departments and agencies, the Governor directed the dissolution of the State Board of Internal Revenue (DBIR) on Monday.
The Secretary to the Delta State Government (SSG), Dr. Kingsley Emu, issued a statement directing the chairman and members of the dissolved Board to relinquish all government properties they hold to the career administrative head within the agency.
The immediate implementation of the Governor’s dissolution approval was highlighted in the statement.
The announcement came swiftly, less than two weeks after the board’s exemption from the list of State agencies, departments, and parastatals facing dissolution in June.
The new administration’s dissolution directive on June 27, 2023, excluded the DBIR, making it one of the mere eight boards exempted among State agencies, departments, and parastatals.
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As per the statement issued by the SSG, the dissolution order did not affect the Civil Service Commission, Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Judicial Commission, Delta State Independent Electoral Commission, House of Assembly Service Commission, Local Government Service Commission, and Governing Councils of Educational Institutions. Governor Oborevwori, as quoted in the statement, thanked the former DBIR members for their invaluable contributions to the State and wished them success in their future pursuits.
On Tuesday, Governor Oborevwori acted upon the board’s dissolution by forwarding the names of nominees for appointment to the Board of the Delta State Internal Revenue Service to the Delta State House of Assembly.
In the letter to the House, which was read during the plenary by the Speaker, Rt Hon Emomotimi Guwor, the list of nominees was revealed, with Hon. Solomon Ighrakpata, the immediate past Deputy Chief Whip of the State Assembly, appointed as the Chairman.
Among the other nominees are Mr. Frank Nwugo, who is nominated as the Executive Director of Operations; Kelly Oghenekevwe, selected as the Executive Director of Finance and Administration; Collins Iwebunor, designated as the Executive Director of ICT and Corporate Development, and Hon. Orezi Esievo, appointed as the Executive Director of Legal Services.
Governor Oborevwori explained that the nomination followed the conclusion of the former board’s tenure, affirming that the appointment was made in adherence to the authority granted to him by Section Five (2) and Section Six (1) of the Delta State Board of Internal Revenue Service Law, 2020.
The nominees were directed by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, to provide 35 copies of their curriculum vitae to the Clerk of the House by Monday, July 17, 2023, and participate in the screening process on Tuesday, July 18, 2023.
The news of Hon. Ighrakpata’s appointment triggered joyous celebrations at the Warri office headquarters of the DBIR, underscoring the widespread acceptance of this leader known for being a Servant leader, upright, disciplined, and approachable.