By DADA AYOKHAI
Edo State governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki has hold his first meeting with the Head of local government administration, Holga, and revenue directors after the removal of his deputy governor, comrade Philip shaibu from chairmanship of the ad hoc body.
Recall, governor Obaseki recently removed from the deputy governor’s office issues pertaining to local government revenue and administration.
Obaseki holds first meeting with HOLGA after outer of Shaibu
Addressing journalists at the end of a meeting presided over by Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, Chairman, Edo State Internal Revenue Service (EIRS), John Inegbedion said the meeting became necessary to discuss the modalities for the implementation of the State’s Property Tax.
Other officials who attended the meeting include the Heads of Local Government Administration (HOLGA) and Directors of Revenue from the 18 LGAs.
The meeting, which was held behind closed doors, focused on challenges relating to the land use charge and property tax implementation.
Inegbedion noted, “Our discussion centered on the property tax in the State. With the new land use charge act that has been passed into law, we are here to have a conversation on the way forward.
“The local and State Government will be administering the property tax jointly and the details on how it will be admitted was what we discussed in the meeting with Mr. Governor.
“Mr. Governor charged the HOLGAs and revenue Directors in the local government that this is the new frontier for which local governments can sustain their revenue collection. From statistics and numbers provided by the EdoGIS, we can see how this number can change the fortune of the local government.”
Managing Director, Edo Geographic Information Service (EDOGIS), Osaro Grace Aihie, said the land use charge is not new to Edo State, noting, “We have done that before and are working on that again as the Local Government is collaborating with EdoGIS to enable us maximize the revenue coming to Edo State.
“Land is wealth and new crude oil which should be utilized maximally to get the best. We are working with the local government to stop double taxation. The land use charge is made up of property tax, tenement rate, and ground rent. We have signed a MOU and we would work together to increase the revenue of the State as the land use charge is a game changer.
“I call on the members of the public to cooperate with the government to ensure the policy of the government is implemented to benefit the people of the State.”
The Head of Local Government Administration, Esan South East LGA, Dr. Gregory Elimihele, commended the Governor Obaseki-led administration for looking for a way to improve revenue in the State and Local Governments in order to address the economic challenges faced by the people.
