The Ondo State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Tamidu Takuro, says the 18 local government areas in the state have recorded a significant improvement in their internally generated revenue (IGR).

Mr Takuro said this during a news conference on the councils’ activities and achievements on Monday in Akure.

He said some local governments that previously generated about N2 million have increased their monthly revenue to about N5 million.

According to him, the increase represents a significant improvement in the revenue profile of the local governments.

He added that more could be achieved with an improved tax regime.

The commissioner said the state government was working with the local governments to harmonise their agricultural support programmes for farmers across the state.

He said some local governments had already been providing farmers with agricultural inputs, including cocoa seedlings, fertilisers and other logistics.

Mr Takuro said efforts were underway to develop a uniform framework that would enable all the 18 local governments to provide meaningful support to farmers.

He said the councils had also commenced youth empowerment programmes aimed at reducing poverty and promoting entrepreneurship.

According to him, the initiative is designed to identify youths with viable business ideas and provide them with financial support to establish businesses.

He said women were also being empowered across the 18 local governments to improve their economic well-being and that of their families.

“We know that if you empower a woman, it is like empowering the whole nation,” he said.

The commissioner urged stakeholders to monitor the implementation of the empowerment programmes to ensure that the intended beneficiaries received the required support.

He said the councils were also implementing social intervention programmes for elderly residents.

According to him, each of the 18 local governments provides monthly stipends to at least 300 persons aged 70 years and above.

He said each beneficiary currently receives a minimum of N20,000 monthly, adding that plans were underway to increase the number of beneficiaries.

Mr Takuro said the local governments were also taking proactive measures to prevent flooding by clearing waterways and drainages.

He said the exercise was carried out throughout the dry season to reduce the risk of flooding during the rainy season.

According to him, the local governments are working with relevant authorities to channel waterways and clear blocked drainages across their respective areas.

“When flooding happens in any local government, it is the people of that local government that will suffer.

“That is why the chairmen came together and agreed that flood prevention should be a priority,” he said.

The commissioner said the local governments were also encouraging the use of indigenous contractors in executing local government projects.

He said the initiative was aimed at promoting local businesses and ensuring that government expenditure benefited people within the communities.

He, however, said contractors must execute projects according to specifications before receiving payment.

“We want to engage them and encourage them, but they must do something before they get their money,” he said.

Mr Takuro attributed the achievements recorded by the local governments to the leadership of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

He commended the governor for providing what he described as purposeful leadership and supporting development initiatives across the local government areas.

The commissioner assured that the state government would continue to support the local governments in improving revenue generation, empowering residents and providing social services.

(NAN)