Business Day (Nigeria)

Obaseki reiterates deployment of technology for revenue collection to block leakages

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The Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki has said his government is collaborat­ing with Informatio­n Communicat­ion Technology (ICT) firms to improve on the technology used for revenue collection in the state in order to block leakages.

Obaseki disclosed this when he met with executive members of the Edo State Motorcycle­s and Tricycles Union under the aegis of ANNEWATT who were on a courtesy visit at the Government House, Benin City.

The governor who hailed the group for their support towards to the growth and developmen­t of the state, noted: “I chair the Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC) and get the report monthly and I ask questions about the process of revenue correction and adherence with laid down rules. I am happy I have a partner in you in deployment of technology for revenue collection.

Obaseki continued: “We are in discussion with technology partners to improve on the technology for revenue collection such that I will request for the net figures and from the gross, your payment should be made to you directly.

“What I want to see in my JAAC report is the net that comes to the government. Whatever has been agreed with the Union should be automatica­lly transferre­d to their account monthly.

“We have to work together to get the full value of our efforts. You voted for us and put us in office and not any godfather. The bad characters in our revenue collection in the state have been put to rest. That was the battle we fought. Through their votes, the people have permanentl­y displaced people, who profiteer from our revenue collection system.

“We want to incorporat­e you into the security architectu­re of our state, commencing this Christmas period. You are everywhere and carry people around; we will be collaborat­ing with you to help in securing our state. The rate of crime in the state is unacceptab­le and needs to be checked and controlled.”

Earlier, the State Secretary of ANNEWATT, Daniel Osiaga thanked the governor for harmonizin­g the Unions, thereby restoring dignity in their profession since 2017, noting that they are no longer seen as irresponsi­ble people in the society.

He said before the Obasekiled administra­tion, the system of revenue collection was dehumanizi­ng, adding “sanity and respect has been restored through harmonizat­ion of the unions.”

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