Ekiti's Oyebanji Directs Agencies to Unite for IGR Boost

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has emphasized the necessity for enhanced cooperation among the state's various revenue-generating bodies. This directive aims to significantly increase internally generated revenue (IGR), curb financial leakages, and improve the standard of public service delivery across the state.

Governor Oyebanji highlighted that effective synergy among these agencies is crucial for the state to achieve its set revenue targets. This information was conveyed in a statement released on Sunday in Ado Ekiti by Yinka Oyebode, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media.

The Governor's remarks were made during a mid-year review meeting held in Ado Ekiti with the heads of the state's revenue-generating agencies. The session focused on evaluating their performance and ensuring adherence to existing revenue collection policies.

Oyebanji specifically instructed all ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to work closely with the Ekiti State Internal Revenue Service (EKIRS). He further mandated a complete shift from manual revenue collection methods to automated systems, describing manual processes as archaic and highly susceptible to fraud and financial loopholes. He stated unequivocally, “Manual collection of revenues is not only outdated but prone to leakages and fraud.”

To ensure compliance, Governor Oyebanji announced that a thorough assessment of all revenue-generating agencies' adherence to these new directives would be conducted in September. He reiterated his administration's commitment to establishing a more efficient and transparent system for revenue collection.

He challenged the agency heads to fully align with the government's vision by fostering collaboration, strictly following established procedures, and guaranteeing that every kobo owed to the state is properly accounted for.

During the meeting, the agency heads presented their feedback, detailing challenges encountered, future prospects, specific targets, and strategies to enhance revenue generation. Notable attendees included Akin Oyebode, Commissioner for Finance; Kehinde Ajobiewe, Commissioner for Transportation; Niyi Adebayo, Chief of Staff to the Governor; Olaniran Olatona, Chairman of EKIRS; and Ariyike Olayinka, the Accountant-General of the state, alongside other political and administrative leaders of revenue-generating entities.