Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development Ebonyi state Mr Timothy Odah, says the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) has risen to N1 billion monthly, from the previous figure of N150 million. Odah, who is also the Chairman, Commissioners for Finance Forum, disclosed this in Abuja, in an interview with newsmen. Odah said the improvement was as a result of economic measures adopted by the state government in order to reduce dependence on the monthly revenue from the Federation Account.
“Today, Ebonyi has three rice mills and the milled rice is in high demand. We never thought that something made in Nigeria will attract such high demand. We also have an international market which has 7070 stores; and we generate a lot of revenue by renting them out to international and local businesses.
“Ebonyi is doing well in terms of generating its own power supply. We have brought the General Electric from the United States and it will soon generate electricity for the state.
We may not be able to use all of it, so we plan to transfer the remaining to the National Grid and get a commission,” he said.
Odah expressed concern over the financial difficulties some states are facing due to the dwindling oil revenue. “It’s a pathetic situation. But the fact remains that the clarion call has always been made. We have been sounding the warning telling states to prepare.
“We have been calling on the need for diversification. That we should go towards alternative forms of revenue generation instead of depending on the dwindling oil revenue.
“It is time for oil to stop being a key determinant of our budget from local to federal levels,’’ he said.
Odah also said that apart from government, every individual had a role to play in boosting the country’s economy.
“As a whole, Nigerians should learn to patronise made-in-Nigeria products. Nigerian rice, Nigerian oats and leave foreign chicken alone. Palm wine is good. It should be bottled. Also Nigerian food has better taste; we should eat more of it. Stop looking for Chinese and other continental dishes,” he said. According to Odah, doing this may seem small, “but it will translate to a lot of jobs and better living, which is the end game of diversification.’’
