By Sylvia Okoi,CRS- MOI Officer reporting from Ministry of Local Government Affairs
The Governor of Cross River State, Sen.( Prof) Ben Ayade has charged the Heads of Local Government Councils in the State to explore alternative means of increasing their Internally Generated Revenue.
The Governor who spoke through the Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Hon. Mrs. Stella Odey during her recent visit to Bakassi Local Government Council described Bakassi as a local Government that is rich in mineral resources and as such should be explored maximally.
Commissioner Odey posited that with the recent challenge of boarder closure, it has become very imperative for Bakassi Local .Government Council to explore other forms of generating revenue In order to boost the internally generated revenue of the Council,noting that some possible areas of generating revenue to include: Bee farming, poultry, fish Ponds, beach sand commercialization, public convenience In market areas, etc.
Hon. Odey restated the purpose of her visit as a relevant measure in addressing the problems faced by the various Local Government Councils across the State and assured Bakassi people that the challenges that were identified would be channeled to the State Governor for possible solutions.
The Commissioner commended the open policy and synergy that exist between the HOlGA and his staff and enjoined him to do more in order to take the Council to greater heights while assuring the Staff that payment of Salaries has remained a priority to the Governor.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Head of Local Government Administration, Bakassi Local .Government Area, Mr. Ekpenyoung Esuabana announced that Bakassi is a peaceful Local Government area, and thanked God for the recent stability and increased security measures put in place to protect the lives and properties of Bakassi indigens.
He however pointed out that the Council has been faced with series of challenges such as: lack of water supply, lack of electricity, drop in IGR due to boarder closure and the absence of a marriage registry hall.
In the course of the visit, reports from various Heads of Departments were presented to the Commissioner and thereafter the Commissioner was taken round the Council Promises for inspection of offices.
#
