The Governor of Delta State Sheriff Oborevwori has charged the newly elected local government chairmen to improve their internally generated revenue (IGR).
He gave the charge on Monday while inaugurating the new chairmen and vice chairmen at the Event Center, Asaba.
Oborevwori, while urging them to ensure that IGR forms a significant portion of their revenue, cautioned them not to overtax their already burdened constituents, who are experiencing the painful effects of the current economic hardship.
The governor, congratulating them on their victories at the polls, also urged them to ensure that their administration is characterized by modesty, fiscal discipline, prudent management, efficient allocation of resources, and excellent project delivery.
He said: "As Speaker of the State Assembly, we advocated for financial autonomy for the Legislatures and Judicial level. We have also voted yes to local government autonomy during the fifth alteration of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Therefore, the Supreme Court judgment on financial autonomy for local government councils is a work of development
"I expect you to improve on your internally generated revenue and ensure it forms a sizable chunk of your revenue. However, I will caution you that the need to boost your IGR will be carefully balanced with the needs and expectations of our people. You must be careful not to overtax an already burdened populace really under the painful effects of the current economic hardship.
"As a third tier of government, closer to the people, we need to improve the environmental sanitation in our communities. Let your administration be characterized by modesty, fiscal discipline, prudent management, efficient allocation of resources, and excellent project delivery."
Speaking on behalf of the 25 LG chairmen and vice chairmen, the chairman of Oshimili North Local Government, Innocent Esewezie, assured the governor of their commitment to the MORE agenda, pledging to implement it in their various local governments.
