EKSG commences quarterly IGR review forum for LGs
Ekiti State Government has created a quarterly forum to assess the
progress, problems and possibilities inherent in the Internally
Generated Revenue Mechanism of Local Councils in the state.
Speaking in Ado-Ekiti during the maiden quarterly IGR Forum, the State
Commissioner for Local Government and Community Development, Professor
Adio Folayan, who described the forum as an initiative of the Ministry
with intention to drive the financial sustainability of the Councils
that would make them more alive to their developmental
responsibilities at the grassroots, reiterated the commitment of the
Fayemi-led administration to put an end to over-dependence of Local
Government on allocation from the Federation Account.
The Commissioner disclosed that a committee recently set-up to look
into ways of boosting the IGR had submitted its report and government
would soon take decisive action on the recommendations.
Afolayan, who stressed that the goal of making IGR more robust,
all-encompassing and efficient was achievable, he emphasized that the
desired result can only be realized through a collective will.
“Let me re-emphasized that the era of total dependence on Federal
Allocation is gone; we need to look inward and find ways of making the
state financially viable and stable.
“We therefore cannot afford to continue to view this meeting as a
regular exercise because we are here for serious business and
specifically to provide lasting solutions on how to raise the revenue
profile in our Local Governments.
We must consequently put on our thinking caps and come up with
workable solutions that will ease the financial burden at our various
councils so that we may have the desired impact on the lives of our
citizens who are expecting so much from the present administration”,
he further posited.
In a related development, Ekiti State Government has restated its
commitment to prioritize the welfare of its workers.
Speaking at Aramoko-Ekiti in Ekiti West Local Government area of the
state, the Commissioner for Local Government and Community
Development, Prof. Adio Folayan, who paid an inspection visit to the
Council expressed his dissatisfaction with the dilapidated condition
of the Secretariat Complex which was constructed in 1976.
Afolayan, who assured that the government of Dr. Kayode Fayemi will
facilitate total renovation of the building to make it habitable for
workers, added that government would embark on the renovation in bit
consequent upon paucity of funds facing the state.
In his address of welcome, the Coordinating Director of the Council,
Mr. Tolu Arowolaju appealed to the Commissioner to help facilitate the
renovation of the Secretariat Complex which had become seriously
inhabitable for his workers.
Mr. Arowolaju said the building had not been renovated since it was
originally built in 1976 when the Council area was created.