PLATEAU State Director of Research, Planning and Documentations, Professor John Wade, has declared that the state has the capacity to net close to N1.5 billion from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) if all the systemic leakages within the system are blocked and properly addressed.

The Director of Research, who disclosed this in an interview with the Nigerian Tribune in Jos, said it would be difficult for the government to fulfil most of the electoral promises and complete ongoing projects inherited from the previous administration with dwindling subvention from the federation account.

According to him, the administration of Governor Simon Bako Lalong is more determined than the previous governments to address the problems militating against IGR in the state and ready to block all the loopholes to rake in the reasonable revenue to the coffers of the government.

“The present administration is striving to improve on the Internal Generated Revenue. Where there are systemic leakages, the government is ready to block such loopholes. Most of the leakages have been identified and as well marked. We hope that by the time appropriate committee submits its report, the matter will be addressed squarely.

“Findings revealed that most businessmen operate on the Plateau without paying tax. There are quite a number of organisations that do not pay tax probably due to ignorance. We will sensitise them while those dodging their civic responsibility will be prosecuted,” he said.

Professor Wade further disclosed that Plateau had the potential of realising close to N1.5 billion per month if all opportunities are properly harnessed, adding that mining could be a veritable source of revenue

count | 745

Plateau state has the capacity to generate N1.5 Billion Internal generated revenue