Eniola Yekini
The Kogi state government has restated its prohibition of cash collection and roadside roadblocks for revenue generation, as it unveiled a new framework for the collection of daily ticketing across the state.
Chairman of Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KGIRS), Dr. Sule Salihu Enehe, stated this at a stakeholders’ engagement organised weekend by KGIRS at its corporate headquarters in Lokoja.
Dr. Enehe said the engagement was designed to introduce the new consultant to stakeholders and establish a common understanding on the collection process, rates and responsibilities of all parties.
He recalled that the state had, about two years ago, stopped transport unions from collecting revenue on roads, adding that Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo had consistently advocated a peaceful, inclusive and transparent approach to revenue administration.
He said rather than completely shutting unions out of the revenue system, the state government opted for an arrangement under which a percentage of legitimate revenue accruing to the state would be shared with the unions to support their operations.
Enehe added that the contract of the former consultant had expired, following which a competitive bidding process was conducted, with Solution Network Consults emerging as the successful bidder.