IBADAN - The introduction of the e-payment system by the Oyo State government has led to the increase in the e-payment Internally Generated Revenue(IGR) in the state, Governor Christopher Adebayo Alao Akala has said.

The governor who stated this while presenting an Address to the State House of Assembly as part of the activities marking the second year of the 6th assembly in Ibadan at the weekend was of the view that with this system, the state had gained a lot since its introduction and there was hope that much would be gained as long as it is embraced .

According to him , “ the e-payment system has blocked all areas of waste and embezzlement and encourage the aggressive revenue drive.”

He said that “ for instance , the state IGR in 2007 was N5,988,569.46 per annum while in February , this year , the state had realized the sum of N1,599,527,917.62 as Internally Generated Revenue [IGR].Our target is to reach N3 billion in due course.”

The state chief executive who was optimistic about the rise in the state’s IGR , deposed that one of his major achievement since attaining the mantle of leadership in the state was the increase in the Internally Generated Revenue(IGR) and wished fruitful future.

Alao-Akala then pointed out that “ to demonstrate the state government commitment to the alleviation of poverty among the citizen of the state , the government had earmarked the sum of N3 billion for its poverty alleviation scheme where over 22,000 individuals and groups would benefit through Direct Financial Intervention (DFI) of the state government .

He disclosed that “ this present administration has placed more emphasis on the Poverty Alleviation Scheme more than any other administration ever had in the state and no going back so as to make our people live a worthy life regardless of their respective status “.

He went further to highlight other achievements recorded by his government in the last two years.

In line with the state government policy on agriculture , the governor told the lawmakers that the state government had procured fertilizers,agro-allied chemicals and farm implements for farmers at subsidized rate.