By Daniel Tyokua
The minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has called on the key players in internally generated revenue sector to take more steps that will increase the IGR.
He told them to redraw the IGR template in a way that FCT would be ahead of Lagos in subsequent generations.
Bello stated this in a keynote address at a stakeholders’ retreat tagged, ‘Towards a Harmonized Revenue Management Framework in the FCT’ held in Lagos.
He said, “In a nutshell, the FCT is not fairing badly, but it is not yet uhuru because we are performing far below our set expectations in terms of revenue generation, and I am confident that this retreat will enable us consolidate and reposition on the right pedestal to even takeover Lagos in the area of Internally Generated Revenue.
“Our IGR in terms of per capita last year actually placed us next to Lagos, ahead of Rivers State with N24,600 per person, Judging from FCT’s population estimates of 2006 census, inclusive of the 5 percent growth rate between 2016 and 2020. Rivers State places third with IGR per capita of N15,281.
“However, in terms of total amount of IGR for 2020, FCT generated little over N102 billion and was ranked third behind Rivers State, who realised N117.19 billion.”
The Minister who was represented by the FCTA Permanent Secretary, Mr. Olusade Adesola explained that with its huge potential and unique status as the seat of power, the FCT should naturally do better “With the huge resources we have in the FCT, if properly manage well, no one will see our back in revenue generation, and we will not have to be running “cap-in-hand” to the Federal Government for allocation when we can actually raise these funds and take the Federal Allocation as additional income.
“Our IGR alone should be more than adequate for self-sufficiency in the delivery of effective services and infrastructure, in line with global standards, for all residents, all Nigerians and visitors” he said.
