By Thompson ABISOLA
The Chairman of Badagry Local Government in Lagos State, Mr Oluwasegun Onilude, on Wednesday urged residents to perform their civic duty by paying their taxes regularly.
Speaking during a ceremony to mark his first year in office, Onilude said that regular payment of taxes, rates and tolls would reciprocate the good gesture of government in providing social amenities.
“As the government seeks to work for the common good, the people, on their own part, should reciprocate by paying taxes, rates and tolls.
“This is a social contract; paying what is required of you will help to move the local government forward,” he said.
The chairman said that the poor internally generated revenue (IGR) base of the council had continued to be one of its major challenges.
“We have, however, developed new revenue points, reorganised the revenue collection system and blocked the loopholes.
“We now have a better revenue performance index than we met on ground. However, there is still a lot of room for improvement,” he said.
The chairman said that the newly redeveloped Agbalata Badagry and Ikoga markets were ready for occupation by traders.
“In health sector, we have purchased an ultrasound scanning machine in Ajara Primary Health Centre (PHC); eight PHCs are currently functioning out of 10 under our control,” he said.
Onilude said his administration was committed to youth and women empowerment.
The chairman distributed trade support equipment such as grinding machines, deep freezers, barbing equipment and dryers with generators to some artisans to mark his one year in office.
“Our Ajara Vocational Training Centre is fully equipped and functional while agricultural implements and inputs shall be distributed to some of our farmers as part of our commitment to the agricultural sector,” he said.
He said that his administration placed emphasis on staff welfare especially in capacity building and interest free loans.
The council chairman also distributed 18 vehicles to the vice chairman, council secretary, 10 councilors and six supervisors in the local government.
