Kogi IGR increases to N1bn monthly – Official

Kogi State Government says its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) has improved tremendously from N350 million to N1 billion monthly.

Mr Kingsley Fanwo, the Director-General, Media and Publicity, Kogi State disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Lokoja.

He said tge Kogi State Board of Internal Revenue Service had been restructured in order to make it more proactive.

Fanwo said that the board had also been granted autonomy to operate, adding that it also employed competent hands to enable it meet its mandate in terms of revenue drive.

“We have been able to improve our IGR because the Board of Internal Revenue Service was restructured for excellent service delivery.

“We have also granted the Board autonomy and they have employed very competent hands to work with them,’’ he said.

When asked why the state government was unable to pay workers’ salaries despite the huge resources, Fanwo attributed it to the enormous loans that the state was servicing.

He said that the loans were collected by the two previous administrations for projects that were not completed and not adding value to the economy of the state.

Speaking on the use of one of the latest Ford Model Jeeps by government officials in the state, Fanwo said the vehicles are being paid for by the beneficiaries.

“The officials are paying, the state government is making deductions from their salaries and allowances. I am also paying back for my own vehicle.

“I want to also tell you that government officials are also sacrificing lot of their allowances in view of the harsh economic situation in the country.

“The civil servants were paid last in February, I too was also paid in February 3, so it is not that government officials and political office holders are being treated differently.

“We are all facing the consequences of a very corrupt past administrations,’’ he said.

On whether the government officials would be able to maintain the vehicles after they leave office, Fanwo said “it is left for them”.

“If you ask me, however, I will tell you that I prefer a vehicle that is cheaper to maintain,” he said