A two-time governorship aspirant in Edo State, High Chief Jacob Egietseme Idinye, has applauded the State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki for positively boosting the internally generated revenue (IGR) of the state with over 40 percent growth from 2022 to date, a feat largely driven by the formal sector.
Idinye, a Peoples Democratic Party chieftain, also hailed the governor for prudently managing the state’s resources and judiciously deploying funds accruing to the state for transformational projects that improve the livelihoods of the people.
The astute politician who spoke to journalists at Benin airport said the government’s reforms have continued to yield positive gains with the state not listed among the top ten most indebted states in Nigeria.
Idinye’s reaction followed the recent report by the Chairman, Edo Taskforce on Internally Generated Revenue, Hon. John Osagie Inegbedion, who recently disclosed the 2024 EIRS Management Performance Review (MPR), in Benin City, the Edo State capital.
According to Idinye; “I am really impressed with the success stories, and great milestones of my leader, Governor Obaseki of Edo State for adding value to humanity, especially the people of Edo State, posterity will surely be kind to him. Despite the challenging economic crisis fueled by the removal of fuel subsidy, Edo State Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) positively rose by over 40 percent in 2023, recording N17bn increase from the N45bn generated in 2022.
“We have amazing evidence to the world that the total IGR generated in Edo State for the year 2023 by EIRS, Ministries Departments and Agencies stood at N62,079,123,288.37. When compared with the 2022 total revenue collection of N45,062,587,439.92, indicates a growth of N17,016,535,848:46 which was not associated with the informal sector but from the formal sector which occurred within a year. This is phenomenal Mr Governor has truly raised the bar for good governance. This is the first time in the history of revenue administration in the State that revenue will be grown by forty percent (40%) over the preceding year”.
“Mr Governor’s strategic and economic revolution is really having impactful positive growth. Whilst other States are struggling to grow their IGR due to the current economic crisis occasioned by removal of fuel subsidies, Edo State economy is flying high due to the foresight of the Governor who long before now has been raising alarm about the impending economic disaster we are currently experiencing. However, he took the initiative and made the necessary wise economic decisions to position Edo for the challenges ahead.”
Idinye noted further, “The governor is keen on his vision of making Edo State the best sub-national in Africa to live and prosper by 2050 and all of us, as critical stakeholders are reassuring him of our unalloyed support towards his government’s goal of repositioning Edo State to become a very vibrant and progressive sub-national government.
“I am also confident that Governor Obaseki’s succession plans will be in the best interest of Edo State. I therefore wish all the gubernatorial aspirants of our party to remain strong, loyal and committed. Looking at the array of governorship aspirants who are jostling for the number seat, one will simply conclude that PDP is ready for continuity in Edo State.
“And while I also understand that PDP can grant waiver to any member who is loyal and can meet party’s conditions, then whoever that finally emerges as our party’s standard bearer during our primary as we prepare for the upcoming guber poll is expected to receive all the needed support from other aspirants in order for our party to attain landslide victory at the poll.“ Idinye stated.