Ihonvbere restates commitment to due process By QUEENETH OROBEDO Secretary to Edo State Government, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere has said that enhanced effectiveness, transparency and commitment to due process are indispensable towards ensuring success in public service delivery. He stated this yesterday in Benin while declaring open a one day workshop on the “Revenue Process” of the ministry of Lands and Survey put together by the state Board of Internal Revenue Service. Prof. Ihonvbere pointed out that the activities and policies of government can only be fully translated when the public service is effective and committed. According to him, “Service delivery is almost zero in Edo Public Service; we own the public service; people should contribute to the process of making things work. Service delivery, efficiency and effectiveness must be taken seriously”. He said the state government has put in place, processes that would help in the taxation system and improve service delivery”. He expressed concern over the gross inefficiency which had characterised the process of obtaining Certificate of Occupancy in the State Ministry of Lands and Survey over the years, saying it has robbed the state government of the needed funds from the sector. The SSG, however, commended the leadership of the state Board of Internal Revenue Service (BIRS) in the efforts to boost the revenue base of the state government and other initiative to improve the process. The State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Mr. Lawrence Aghedo said the interactive session was primarily to brainstorm towards enhancing the process of obtaining Certificate of Occupancy and specifically, to fasttrack the internally generated revenue mechanism through “C of O”. In another engagement, the SSG also signed the official Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Resident, Africa Real Estate Limited, Median Infrastructure Development Company Limited and Edo State Government. The MoU is for the development of a world class shopping mall on Sapele Road, Benin City. During the ceremony, Prof. Ihonvbere noted that the state government takes the challenge of economic development seriously as Governor Adams Oshiomhole is committed to making the state a better place. While formally presenting the site survey plan to the leader of the delegation, Median Infrastructure Development Company Limited, the SSG assured of government’s support at all levels to ensure the rapid commencement of the project. Chief Executive Officer, Median Infrastructure Development Company Limited, Mr. Olumide Akinsanya who signed the MoU on behalf of the consortium for the development of a world class shopping mall assured that the project would be completed and delivered in 24 months. Executive Director, Public Private Partnership (PPP), Mr. Igbinidu Inneh said it was a pleasurable plan to introduce such a world class shopping mall to Edo State, especially, this being the first of its kind. Also present at the ceremony were the Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Hon. Francis Evbuomwan, the Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr. Stephen Edehenre and Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Barr. Oluwole Iyamu.
Posted on: Fri, 19 Jul 2013 15:29:27 +0000
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