By Chiangi Avese, Makurdi
Secretary to the Government of Benue State (SSG), Barr. Serumun Deborah Aber, has charged local government staff across the state to take deliberate and sustained steps towards restoring effective financial mobilisation and entrenching a strong culture of accountability within the local government system.
At a 3-Day Capacity-Building Workshop organised by the Benue State Local Government Service Commission (LGSC) in collaboration with M&P Corporate Services Limited, on the theme:
“Understanding the Nigerian Tax Act 2025: Funding Strategies and Financial Sustainability for Local Government Councils in Benue State”, holding at the Conference Hall of the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP), Makurdi on Wednesday, the SSG said, “this is a critical pathway to improved service delivery at the grassroots”.
Barr. Aber, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Office, Mr. Godwin Tighil, conveyed the commitment of the administration of His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, to continuous capacity development of the civil service, particularly local government personnel who remain central to effective service delivery in rural communities.
The SSG advised participants to “look beyond the legal provisions of the Nigerian Tax Act 2025 and focus on the practical application of innovative revenue generation strategies and transparent accountability mechanisms. The effective implementation remains key to strengthening internally generated revenue and restoring public confidence at the local government level”.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Chairman, Benue State Local Government Service Commission, Hon. James Ivever, represented by Permanent Commissioner III, Mr. Humbe Mkena, stated that the workshop was designed to equip local government staff with the requisite technical, administrative and legal competencies to effectively discharge their responsibilities in strict compliance with the law.
He noted that a sound understanding of the Nigerian Tax Act 2025 would help curb abuses, eliminate multiple taxation, boost internally generated revenue and promote accountability and transparency within the local government system.
Hon. Ivever also expressed profound appreciation to Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia for his unwavering support to the Commission through sustained training and retraining of local government staff, reaffirming the Commission’s commitment to aligning with the Governor’s vision of a more efficient, transparent and productive local government system in Benue State.
In a goodwill message at the occasion, the Chairman, Benue State Civil Service Commission, Mr. William Itodo, commended the Local Government Service Commission, its partners and the Benue State Government for the sustained synergy in building the capacity of civil servants, particularly those at the local government level. He charged participants to fully utilise the knowledge acquired, describing them as the nucleus of policy implementation at the grassroots.
Permanent Secretary, Benue State Local Government Service Commission, Mr. John Akume, expressed heartfelt appreciation to the Secretary to the State Government for graciously declaring the workshop open and for the continuous support of the state government to the Local Government Service Commission.
Mr. Akume also thanked the Executive Chairman of the LGSC, Hon. James Ivever, members of the Commission, M&P Corporate Services Limited, facilitators, and all participants for their dedication to strengthening local government administration. He assured stakeholders of the Commission’s resolve to ensure that the outcomes of the workshop translate into improved revenue generation, enhanced accountability and sustainable financial management across all local government councils in Benue State.
