By Dipo Olowookere
The various initiatives of Governor Willie Obiano in Anambra State have started to yield meaningful results and this is evident in the state’s internally generated revenue (IGR).
When he assumed office in 2014, Anambra State was generating about N500 million monthly, but today, the state’s IGR has increased to N1.5 billion monthly.
Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Awka, the state capital on Saturday, Managing Director of Awka Capital Territory Development Authority, Mr Michael Okonkwo, said the state targets N3 billion monthly IGR.
“When Gov. Obiano came in, he met a monthly figure of N500 million monthly as internally generated revenue. The governor said that the situation was unacceptable and that he expected N3 billion.
“It has not been easy, but we have been able to reach N1.5 billion monthly,” Mr Okonkwo told NAN.
He further disclosed that his agency’s revenue profile also increased from N13 million to N20 million monthly during the period.
According to him, revenue from the six Local Government Areas that make up the capital territory, contributed N20 million to the state`s internally generated revenue.
He said the production of a base map for the capital territory assisted to raise revenue for the state and led to the completion of an aerial photography of the state, adding that the revenue drive had made the state to work towards self-sufficiency because of dwindling revenue from the federation account.
He said that work on the complete master plan of the territory was on-going.
“While the comprehensive master plan of Awka territory is on-going, we have put together what we call the Awka Capital Territory Concept Masterplan.
“It will be released soon for people to see the new Awka capital territory urban design framework plan, in which we will offer new land use, new urban renewal initiatives, and implementation strategy,” Mr Okonkwo said.