The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has said that the nation’s capital city can generate more Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) than Lagos if properly heaness it potentials.
He added that the Federal Capital Territory has the capacity to fund its budget solely, through the IGR.
Speaking through the Mandate Secretary on Economic Planning, Revenue Generation and PPP, Mr. Agboola Lukman Dabiri over the weekend there are many untapped resources in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) that are yet to be tapped, if tapped, Abuja will be at per with Lagos in terms of revenue generation or even do better.
He made this known while briefing newsmen on the potentials Abuja has to generate more revenue and top the ladder of revenue generation States.
According to him, “There are many untapped resources here, we don’t collect money of Park any more,we don’t collect money from Estates, not all people paid, Uber is here, dispatch rider, we are not collecting revenue from all these people. By the time we are able to harness all those area, it will further shot up the revenue profile of the FCT.
“I am telling you confidently, by the grace of God and the support of my minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello by the time we are able to harness those areas, I assured you, we can general revenue three times of what we are getting at the moment.
“Even the Lagos we are talking about if you put Advert on the street light,you have to paid for them, but here in Abuja, do you paid? Election is coming, campaign posters will soon being flooding all over, are they paying for such posters, go and find out anywhere you pay for posting a bill”, he explained.
Dabiri also said that, E-revenue is also paramount, with e-revenue you will be able to account for whatever you get for proper planning.
While adding that Lagos is doing well in terms of revenue generation because they have sacrifice in the past and they are doing well now, Abuja too has same potential like Lagos and it will do even better than Lagos if the potentials are properly harness.
He explained that the Secretariat has been championing the course of harmonizing revenue from all revenue generating agencies in the FCT with a view to block leakages, and grow the revenue base in the FCT.
The Secretary reassured the Secretariat the new department has been working tirelessly to raise and enhance the revenue base the FCT.
He said in view of this, he would continue to extend hand of friendship across all revenue generating agencies in the territory to work tirelessly towards achieving the set goals.
He, therefore,called on the media to work with the Secretariat towards sensitizing the public on the importance of paying revenue and benefits that could be derived from such act.
Highlighting some of the benefits that could be gotten from paying revenue, he revealed that it will bring about massive infrastructural developments in the areas such as Road, water, electricity, schools, hospital among others.
He also appealed to the media to serve as their watch dog by holding them accountable on what they are able to collect as revenue for the FCT.
