The Benue State Commissioner for Finance and Economic Planning, Michael Oglegba, says local government councils in the state have the capacity to survive without relying solely on monthly federal allocations if they properly harness their internal revenue sources.
Oglegba made this known during an interview with journalists in Makurdi, where he stressed that the Nigerian Constitution already provides multiple avenues for local governments to generate income independently.
According to him, many councils are yet to take advantage of available revenue streams such as tenement rates, market levies, and other statutory charges that could significantly boost their finances.
He argued that the challenge facing most local governments is not lack of resources, but poor management, weak governance structures, and lack of commitment to revenue collection.
“The Constitution gives local governments the opportunity to collect internally generated revenue. For example, tenement rates alone can generate substantial income, but most councils are not effectively collecting them,” he said.
Oglegba further noted that several revenue opportunities remain untapped, including levies from local markets, transport operations, and even mineral resources available in some council areas.
He urged council officials to prioritise capacity building and strengthen administrative systems to improve efficiency and accountability at the grassroots level.
On broader fiscal performance, the commissioner said Benue State has recorded significant growth in internally generated revenue following reforms introduced by the current administration.
He disclosed that monthly IGR in the state has risen from about N700–800 million before his team came into office to over N3 billion currently, attributing the increase to improved tax systems and better enforcement mechanisms.
The commissioner’s comments come amid ongoing national discussions on local government financial autonomy, with stakeholders calling for stronger revenue mobilisation and reduced dependence on federal allocation to enhance grassroots development.
