Kosofe APC Chieftain and Former Executive Secretary, Ikosi-Isheri LCDA, Hon. Afolabi Bamisile Kazeem, has advised Local Government Chairmen across the Lagos State to implement policies and programmes that would increase the Internal Generated Revenue (IGR) of their councils.
Kazeem, popularly known as ABK, made this known in an interview with newsmen while representing former Minister of Health, Dr. Olorunimbe Mamora at the commissioning of 20 roads in the Ikosi-Isheri council.
The former Executive Secretary said the capacity of the local governments in generating revenue had declined over the years, thus, the need for the LGs to formulate strategies to improve their revenue base.
Kazeem noted that the 57 chairmen should create investment-friendly environment to reduce their dependence on revenue from the federation account.
“It is important to note that the local governments are better positioned to tackle the issues facing the local communities.
Harnessing the available resources to stimulate and sustain economic activities that will lead to employment and income generation, poverty reduction.
Therefore this will reduce youth restiveness and insecurity in the respective communities.
So when they have more IGRs, chairmen would be able to work more and that is why it is good to have people-oriented and progressive people around you.” He said.
ABK said he never served like a politician and he had never encouraged any of them to be sharing government money.
According to him, “Our concern is for us to support the chairman to do what the people want, let us spend government money on people-oriented projects.” He concluded.
