Going by dwindling monthly allocation from the Federal Government, coupled with resolve to increase state internally-generated revenue (IGR), Sokoto State government has begun move to create several means of generating revenue through the instrument of law, just as the State House of Assembly has embarked on a legislative tour targeted at revenue growth.
Consequently, the Sokoto State House Committee Enhancement of Revenue Generation led by Mohammed Bello, deputy leader has had an interactive session with the Ogun State House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, delibrating on several issues aimed at increasing the internally-generated revenue meant for Sokoto State government’s coffers.
Speaking during a joint interactive session in Abeokuta Friday, Mohammed Bello disclosed that the Sokoto State House of Assembly took Ogun State House of Assembly as a case study in its quest to increase internally-generated revenue and provide a financial platform through which developmental projects and infrastructure could be financed in the state.
He added that the committee embarked on the tour the Ogun State House of Assembly to understudy the act of law-making as regards internal revenue generation and infrastructure financing, having observed the socio-economic development of Ogun State under Governor Ibikunle Amosun in the areas of roads construction and infrastructure, education, housing, investment among others.
While appreciating the inter-dependence between the executive and legislative arms of in the state at ensuring all round development, Bello commended the State lawmakers for the passage of people-oriented pieces of legislation that had aided the development of the state, saying that the Sokoto State House of Assembly was interested in cross-fertilization of ideas on developmental issues.
“The dwindling financial returns from the Federation Account to the States required that all stakeholders in governance, particularly the legislature must support the executive in evolving proactive means of boosting their internally generated revenue to meet the yearning of the people”.
Responding, Olusola Bankole, chairman, Ogun State House of Assembly Committee on Finance and Appropriation, noted that the drive of the State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun in opening up the state through massive infrastructural development had turned the State to investment destination of choice from all corners of the globe.
Bankole explained that the synergy between executive and legislative arms had collectively helped at improving the state’s internally-generated revenue through the passage of the various people-oriented bills by the Assembly.
“It is important to note the collective effort of the executive and legislative arms of government at improving the IGR of the State through various people friendly bills passed into law, which have helped to boost the revenue base of the state”, he declared.
He however, added that during budget defence, the Assembly also played a key role towards ensuring improved budgetary provision, just as he said that the budget defence, monitoring as well as implementation were key elements in achieving success in the delivery of democracy dividends.
RAZAQ AYINLA
