DO NOT OVER-BURDEN THE PEOPLE, AFUAPE URGES NEW LG CHAIRMEN

 DO NOT OVER-BURDEN THE PEOPLE, AFUAPE URGES NEW LG CHAIRMEN

The Ogun State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Afolabi Afuape has urged the newly inaugurated Chairmen of the 20 Local Government Areas not to make revenue generation burdensome on the people through double taxation.

Hon. Afuape who stated this at the July 2021 edition of the Statutory Joint Account Allocation Committee meeting with the new Chairmen, said the practice of unnecessary taxation would cause displeasure among the citizens towards government.

 He enjoined them to complement the efforts of the State Government, aimed at improving the welfare of the people and translate the policies and programmes of Dapo Abiodun-led administration to reality.

The Commissioner said the meeting was in demonstration of the accountability nature of the present government in the distribution of the revenue accruable to the council in the State from the Federal Allocation.

Describing the improvement of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) as central to viability of the councils, Afuape said it enhances a seamless day-to-day running of the local government and brings positive impacts on the lives of residents.

The Commissioner added that the Ogun State Internal Revenue Service (OGIRS) is in partnership with the various local government to optimize collection of certain rates and levies, in order to generate more funds to the respective councils’ coffers.

 “I want to enjoin you to ensure that your revenue generation drive should not be detrimental to the well-being of the people through unnecessary or double taxation that may cause disaffection among our people whom we plan to work for”, the Commissioner said.

Also speaking, his counterpart in the Ministry of Finance, Mr. Dapo Okubadejo, represented by the Permanent Secretary and Accountant-General, Mr. Idowu Michael, disclosed that the LGAs received N3.6bn as July 2021 allocation from the Federal Government, describing it as an improvement on previous allocation.

In her remarks, the Chairperson, Odeda Local Government, Hon. Folashade Adeyemo, said the meeting has given them insight on the need to improve their revenue generation, as the funds coming from the Federal Government would not be sufficient to cater for the execution of projects in the council areas.

 

Sakirudeen Bashir & Kemi Faleti,

Press Officers, Min. LG&CA.