Oyebanji Demands Stronger Collaboration to Boost Ekiti IGR.
Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has called for stronger collaboration among revenue-generating agencies in the state to increase Internally Generated Revenue, block leakages and improve service delivery.
Oyebanji made the call on Thursday during a mid-year review meeting with heads of revenue-generating agencies at the EXCO Chamber, Governor’s Office, Ado-Ekiti.
The meeting reviewed the state’s revenue administration, performance of revenue-generating agencies and compliance with existing revenue policies.
Those in attendance included the Commissioner for Finance, Akin Oyebode; Commissioner for Transport, Kehinde Ajobiewe; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Niyi Adebayo; Chairman of the Ekiti State Internal Revenue Service, Niran Olatona; and the Accountant General of the state, Ariyike Olayinka.
The governor stressed the need for Ministries, Departments and Agencies to work closely with the Ekiti State Internal Revenue Service, saying effective collaboration was critical to achieving the state’s revenue target.
He said the meeting was also designed to identify challenges confronting revenue-generating agencies, examine their prospects and targets, and develop strategies for improving revenue collection.
Oyebanji further directed all revenue-generating agencies to fully transition from manual revenue collection to automated processes.
According to him, manual revenue collection is outdated and susceptible to revenue leakages and fraudulent practices.
The governor also announced that a comprehensive review of compliance by all revenue-generating agencies would be conducted in September as part of efforts to strengthen accountability.
Oyebanji said his administration remained committed to building a more efficient and transparent revenue system, urging heads of agencies to work together, comply with established procedures and ensure that every revenue due to the state was properly accounted for.
He said improved revenue generation would enable the government to enhance service delivery and meet its development obligations to the people of Ekiti State.