Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has urged Council Chairmen in the state to check the activities of revenue collectors to reduce the burden of the fuel subsidy removal on the people. He also revealed that plans has been concluded to audit the state pension board so as to know the persons who are due for such monies.
Oborevwori made the call when the state chapter of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) led by Mr. Victor Ebonka, paid him a courtesy visit in Asaba on Wednesday. 
He said people were facing serious hardship following removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government and cautioned council chairmen against “unnecessary” taxes on the people at this critical time, even though tax collection is a pertinent source of the councils’ revenue.
“Funding remains a challenge in our local government councils. It is our hope that with the removal of the fuel subsidy, more monies will be accrued to the local governments and states.
“But until such happens, we urge you to be very prudent and creative in the management of your resources. Even though taxes are pertinent sources of council’s revenue, I want to assure you that the conflicting issues and laws will be handled.
“With the hardship we are facing now with this subsidy removal, I want to appeal to you to talk to your people, your agents and tax collectors not to impose unnecessary taxes on our people.
“There are a lot of expectations from our people and at this time, we need to manage them, see how much we are buying fuel now. We are looking for how we can provide palliative for our people.”
Oborevwori said the local governments and chairmen play important roles in the development of the grassroot, urging them to ensure proper management of their resources for the good of the people.
“As the third tier of government, the local government plays a very significant role in our democratic setting and political evolution; being the arm of government that is closest to the grassroot.
“I note with delight that the local government administration in the state has been characterized by peace and stability, in addition to strong synergy with the state government,” he admitted.
Speaking further, the Governor, remarked that his administration would collaborate with local government councils to pay the backlog of pensions owed local government retirees and retired primary school teachers.
“Unlike some states, our local government councils have full control of their finances. In fact, the previous administration regularly assisted with grants, as a result of which we have continued to see steady progress in developing our rural areas.
“We may not have been where we want to be but I am proud of the progress we have made. This administration will sustain the precedent that has been laid by my predecessor.
“We shall not interfere with your finances and we will offer assistance where necessary. In this regard, we shall be collaborating with the Local Government Pension Bureau, to see how the lingering pension issues will be resolved.
“We met last week to discuss the issue but with a caveat that it is necessary to have an Auditor to audit the pension board and see how the process is carried out diligently so that we can know the actual persons who are due for such monies. We don’t want pension funds to be manipulated,” he added.
