Improve your IGR, Osun govt. urges LGs

Dr Oyebade Olowogboyega, the Permanent Secretary, Osun Ministry of Local Government, has urged local governments in the country to improve their Internally Generated Revenue(IGR).
Olowogboyega made the call while delivering a lecture at a budget retreat organised by Osun House of Assembly in Ejigbo, Osun.
His lecture was entitled: “The Legislative Option of a Viable Internally Generated Revenue for Local Government.”
He said without enough and robust IGR, there was no way the local governments could perform their functions adequately.
Olowogboyega, who noted that many of the 774 local governments in the country were not generating enough IGR to maintain their operations, said there was urgent need to address the issue.
He also  said there was need for a comprehensive reform in the revenue profile of the local governments and suggested urgent improvement in tax payer education, organisational restructuring, legislative reforms and  automation of tax remittance in local governments.
Olowogboyega  further said that there was need for an effective tax regime and collection at the local government level.
“There is the need to tackle frontally  the socio-cultural factors impeding the collection of rates in local governments.
“There is need to give special allowances to revenue collectors at local governments to motivate them to perform.
“Equally, traditional rulers and leaders in the society should be encouraged to pay their taxes and rates to local governments as at when due,” he said.
The permanent secretary also urged state houses of assembly to improve the IGR of local governments through proper legislation.
In his remarks, Mr Najeem Salaam, the Speaker of the assembly, said the lawmakers would look inwards  on how to improve the IGR of local governments in the state.