The Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, on Monday inaugurated a committee to block all leakages in the revenue administration process of the state.
Adeleke noted that the establishment of the committee was in fulfilment of his campaign promises “to bring sanity into the revenue-generating sector.”
Decrying the mounting cost of governance and high debt profile in the state, Adeleke noted that the state could not allow further loss of revenue.
A copy of Adeleke’s speech made available to The PUNCH partly read, “My administration will not condone a situation whereby revenue agents are earning more than the state. All revenue inflow must go to the Coffers of the state. We must then decide what will be the collection fees to be paid the revenue agents. Consequently, all revenue agents operating on behalf of the state must report to the committee immediately for new terms of engagement.
“I have reports of extensive illegal logging of precious woods without permit from the state government.
“Consequently, all logging permits such as hammer and concession permits are hereby suspended pending review by the committee.
“My administration is in possession of report detailing low revenue returns and corrupt practices across the Control posts. Consequently, all consultants manning the control posts and collecting haulage revenue are hereby suspended pending review by the revenue committee.
“Furthermore, I direct this committee to review the following category of permits payments namely Control post/border checkpoints haulage; plantation or forest reserve concession allocation permit; sawmill permit and renewal; flinch sawn evacuation permit; timber and logs permit; hammering permit or release permit; motor-saw permit; forest reserve access permit and Tungya farming system allocation permit.
“My administration is directing a review of the Osun State Internal Revenue Service. The committee is therefore expected to review the operations of the agency and submit appropriate recommendations to increase internally generated revenue by substantial percentage.
“I charge this committee to look into all the above highlighted areas as a matter of urgency. The IGR must improve. All revenue leakages must be blocked and new ideas must be introduced to achieve this agenda.”
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