By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi has flagged off an Infrastructure Maintenance Levy Collection (IML) with full Automation Device Technology to ensure efficiency and transparency in the enforcement of vehicular revenue collection.
Ododo, represented by the Secretary to the Government of Kogi State (SSG), Dr (Mrs) Folashade Arike Ayoade flagged off the IML to be operated by Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KGIRS), on Monday in Lokoja.
The governor regretted that while some states were making huge success from IML, “we have not gotten it right in Kogi State since 2017 that we established the Internal Revenue Service.
According to him, the Flag off ceremony marks the commencement of the collection of Infrastructure Maintenance Levy, using technology across the state.
This, he said, is to enable government improve its revenue profile for enhanced delivery of dividends of good governance to the citizens.
Ododo held that Section 110 of the Kogi State Revenue Administration Law, 2014, captured the Legal Framework for the Collection of Infrastructure Maintenance Levy for all categories of commercial road users.
He directed all critical stakeholders in the transportation sector including the unions and their members to fully comply and cooperate with KGIRS and the consultant for full implementation of the IML.
The Governor warned that his government would not condone any attempt to obstruct government revenue collection from any individual, group or union as such attempts are criminal and attract prosecution.
Executive Chairman of KGIRS, Alhaji Sule Salihu Enehe said IML collection in the state had been inundated with many hiccups since 2017 with low revenue collection, hence the resolve to adopt digital devices for seamless collection, henceforth.
He said that with this initiative, amongst others, the management was confident that the revenue collection would improve significantly.
The Executive Chairman therefore appealed to critical stakeholders in the transport sector to cooperate with the Revenue Body to make the IML collection a success.
He “Profoundly” thanked Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for all the support the Service had received to enable optimization of the revenue potentials of the State.
The State Commissioner for Transportation, Levi Victor Atuluku; Representatives of ALGON and transport unions in their separate goodwill messages called on the IML Collectors to operate without fear or favour but with human face. (Ends)