The Ebonyi State government at the weekend said it has arrested 26 illegal internally Generated Revenue, IGR, collectors and fake agents.

The state commissioner for transport and special projects, Prince Igboke Emeka Collins disclosed in Abakaliki on Sunday.

Igboke said: “All credit goes to our leader and the People’s governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Nwifuru, who has really given us the platform to contribute to the development and progress of our state.

“We are just following in his footsteps and doing our best to ensure that the state internally Generated Revenue, IGR, is in top-notch performance, especially in our ministry.

“As at the time I assumed office as the commissioner for transport, we met a lot of irregularities in the transport system, there were lots of fake agencies, fake people collecting revenue in the name of the state government, but through the help of the governor, we fished out almost twenty six of them. And we restored sanity in the transport system of the state.

“As of today, I can assure you that those who are collecting any revenue of the state are genuine people and they do remit as at when they do. Those that had a contract with the Ebonyi State internal revenue service, EBSIRS, were able to harmonize the system and make it work.

“I wish to announce to you that EBSIRS is very proud of the ministry of transport for what we have done in helping them to achieve that” he stated.

In a related development, Igboke spoke on the alleged controversy that led to the delay in the assumption of office of the new General Manager of Ebonyi State Transport Corporation, EBOTRANS, Mrs Nnenna Jennifer Igwe.

He said that there was no plan by his Ministry to delay or sabotage the official handover to the new general manager.

It was learnt that the new general manager of EBOTRANS, Igwe, assumed duty after reconciling with the former GM penultimate Wednesday.