Revenue generation: Ogun state urges haulage consultants, agents on commitment

The Ogun State Government has called on Haulage Consultants and Agents across its 20 local government areas to show more commitment to the revenue generation drive of the present administration to avoid sanctions.

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This warning was given by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Olu. Ola. Aikulola, who described his meeting with Corporate Haulage Revenue Consultants/Agents in Abeokuta as instructive and compelling in view of the present realities.

Aikulola noted that revenue is the blood of the government without which investment in health,education, security infrastructure,  among others cannot be realised, pointing out that corporate and road haulage collection cannot be taken for granted.

Lamenting the amount realised so far in 2023 from haulage, the Permanent Secretary said that it is a far cry from expectation, just as he added that revenue collection is an important benchmark for rating government agency’s performance.

He, therefore, warned that any haulage Consultant and Agent whose performance is below expectation would be sanctioned accordingly, assuring that government would on its part remain committed to paying commission to them as and when due.

“The government is not comfortable with the revenue performance. What is coming in is too far from what is expected. There will be sanctions after this meeting. If we review your performance and discovered that you are not performing, we will remove your name. We want a change of narrative,” Aikulola stated.

Earlier, Director, Geological Services in the Ministry, Mr. Lekan Eniolawun, said the Consultants at the inception of their engagement had been informed of regular meeting with the management of the Ministry to afford them the opportunity of sharing their challenges on the field while a way forward is charted, adding that it would also help the performance review of each company.

Speaking on behalf of the Consultants, Mr. Kayode Sijuade, who appreciated the Permanent Secretary and his team for providing the needed leadership, said a regular enforcement reminder to companies on their payment would be helpful in boosting revenue.