By Bilesanmi Abayomi
In a proactive move to ensure optimal service delivery and revenue generation in Lagos State, the House Committee on Finance, chaired by Honorable Femi Saheed, conducted oversight visits to the Lagos State Lottery and Gaming Authority (LSLGA) and the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) during the week, expressing satisfaction with their management and operations.
The visit to the LSLGA headquarters provided lawmakers with valuable insights into the agency’s operations, achievements, and challenges. CEO Mr. Bashir Are welcomed the committee, expressing gratitude for the visit and highlighting the importance of legislative support in shaping the agency’s regulations to align with global best practices. Honorable Femi Saheed commended the agency’s leadership, emphasizing the committee’s constitutional responsibility to ensure government agencies are effectively serving Lagosians.
Continuing their oversight duties, the committee proceeded to meet with the Chairman of LIRS, Mr. Ayodele Subar, and his team at the LIRS Corporate office in Alausa. Acknowledging LIRS as the primary revenue source for the state, generating over 70% of its funds, the lawmakers pledged their support to address the agency’s challenges, including harassment of officials, non-compliance to payments, and inadequate working tools.
Mr. Subar expressed appreciation for the legislative intervention, underscoring the importance of synergy between the executive, legislative, and revenue agencies in overcoming obstacles and achieving collective goals. Honorable Femi Saheed echoed this sentiment, affirming Lagos State’s commitment to building strong partnerships with agencies to realize the state’s vision.
“Lagos is poised to forge collaborative relationships with agencies, institutions, and establishments to realize our shared vision for the state. We are here to assess the management of LIRS, identify challenges, and chart a path forward for effective collaboration,” Honorable Femi Saheed declared.