Afolabi Urges LG Chairmen to Boost Internally Generated Revenue
By Bilesanmi Abayomi
Former Executive Secretary of Ikosi-Isheri Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Hon. Afolabi Kazeem, has urged local government chairmen across Lagos State to adopt strategic policies and programmes aimed at increasing their Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).
Kazeem, popularly known as ABK, made the call during an interview with Kosofe Post on the sidelines of Day Three of the ongoing commissioning of 20 newly completed roads in Ikosi-Isheri LCDA.
He expressed concern over the declining revenue-generating capacity of local governments in recent years, stressing the need for councils to reduce over-reliance on allocations from the federation account.
“The 57 council chairmen must begin to create investment-friendly environments that can attract business and drive economic activity,” Kazeem said. “Harnessing available resources will help stimulate local economies, create jobs, and reduce poverty.”
According to him, such efforts would not only improve service delivery but also address rising youth restiveness and insecurity in various communities.
“Local governments are in the best position to solve grassroots challenges. When they have more internally generated revenue, they can deliver more impactful projects,” he said.
Kazeem also emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability in governance, stating that he has never supported the misuse of public funds.
“I am not a politician, and I have never encouraged any chairman to share government money. Our focus should be on supporting the chairman to deliver people-oriented projects,” he said.
Kazeem’s comments come amid ongoing conversations around improving local governance and fiscal responsibility across Nigeria’s third tier of government.