… cautions against reckless spending

By Precious Owolabi, Ado-Ekiti

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has reiterated the importance of collaboration in revenue generation to foster sustainable development in the state, stressing that achieving economic growth requires the active participation of MDAs, local government councils, and residents.

The governor also charged public servants in the state to demonstrate greater fiscal responsibility and prudence in their financial dealings to ensure the efficient management of public resources, thereby fostering sustainable development.

Governor Oyebanji made these remarks on Thursday during the State Internal Revenue Service/MDAs Collaborative and Performance Review Meeting, held at Lady Jibowu Hall, Government House, Ado-Ekiti. He expressed dismay over frequent requests by MDAs for frivolous expenditures, which he described as wasteful and counterproductive.

He tasked public servants with ensuring that the state’s resources are harnessed efficiently and utilised effectively to improve the lives of the people.

While commending the State Internal Revenue Service for the significant improvement in revenue collection across various sectors, the governor urged all MDAs to play active roles in promoting tax compliance and ensuring the effective implementation of revenue policies. He also encouraged them to work hand in hand with the government to eliminate barriers and block all revenue leakages that could hinder progress.

“One of the key factors in driving effective revenue generation is collaboration. Revenue mobilisation is not the sole responsibility of the Ekiti State Internal Revenue Service; it is a collective responsibility shared by all MDAs, local government councils, and, by extension, the citizens of Ekiti State. As public servants, we are responsible for ensuring that our state’s resources are harnessed efficiently and used effectively to uplift the lives of our people.

“I encourage all MDAs here today to take an active role in promoting tax compliance and ensuring the proper implementation of our revenue policies. We must work together to eliminate barriers and block all revenue leakages that could hinder our progress.

“My appeal to all of us is to exercise fiscal caution. I still receive requests from MDAs, forwarded to me by commissioners, for suspicious workshops, seminars, conferences, and other questionable expenditures designed simply to drain funds from the system. I find this deeply disappointing,” the governor said.

Earlier, in his opening remarks, the Chairman of EKIRS, Mr Niran Olatona, thanked the governor for his support and dedication to fostering an enabling environment, which, according to him, has been instrumental in driving the agency’s success.

He noted that the governor’s visionary leadership and strategic interventions have strengthened the agency’s capacity to achieve its revenue generation goals.

Olatona further explained that the agency’s remarkable progress in recent months was the result of robust collaboration with MDAs. He urged MDAs to enhance their partnership with the revenue agency and remain proactive in identifying new revenue opportunities, addressing leakages, and ensuring compliance with financial regulations to achieve even greater revenue growth.

Also speaking, the Head of Service commended the governor for prioritising transparency and accountability in the utilisation of the state’s resources. He noted that the governor’s approach to financial management had set a new standard for good governance and demonstrated his dedication to the well-being of the people.

The high point of the event was the presentation of motorbikes and photocopy machines to the most outstanding MDAs in recognition of their exceptional performance in revenue generation and to encourage them to redouble their efforts.