From Asile Emmanuel, Jos
The Member Representing Mikang Constituency in the Plateau State House of Assembly and Chairman House Committee on Welfare, Hon. Naanlong Daniel, has advised the Plateau State to look into the enabling laws that will help the state government to erect toll gates within the Jos metropolis to serve as revenue booster in the state in the face of dwindling revenue allocation.
Naanlong stated this at the budget defence of the Ministry of Justice where he charged the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in the state, Jonathan Mawiyau, to look at laws that will enable Plateau State to generate more income.
His words: “The situation as it is right now in our country does not encourage states to be over-dependent on the monthly income that comes from the Federal Government. Plateau State is however having the worst case scenario in terms of Internal Generated Revenue (IGR). So it is something that calls for the leadership to think outside the box on how to boost our IGR.”
Hon. Naanlong stated that if Lagos state can look inwards to generate revenue from toll gates, Plateau State can do same as it is strategically located within the north-central.
However, he stressed that the idea of having toll gates could only be achievable if the enabling laws were put in place, adding that he would put forward a bill to that effect in the House and rally his colleagues for an easy passage.
Responding, Mawiyau, affirmed that the idea could enhance the state’s revenue base, offering Plateau the opportunity to promote its economic development in general.
He promised to look into the laws that will necessitate this achievement and to work closely with the legislature to achieve the goal.
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