On Friday, the Anambra State Ministry of Lands, Physical Planning, and Rural Development said that it had produced N1.3 billion between January and October 2021.
Mr Bonaventure Enemali, the Commissioner, said this during the ongoing evaluation of the 2021 budget and defense of the 2022 budget before the state House of Assembly Committee on Finance and Appropriation in Awka.
Enemali stated that the ministry was assigned a revenue target of N4.8 billion in 2021, with only 28% of the target accomplished.
“The ministry generates revenue for the state via payment of ground rent, tenement rates, land allocation, registration and documentation.
“In 2018, the ministry generated about N500 million, in 2019 – N2.5 billion was generated and in 2020, the sum N2.1 billion was generated, in spite of the challenges experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“In 2021, we have generated N1.3 billion as at October, which is 28 per cent of the target for this year. This low performance was because of the insecurity challenges in the state.
“It affected the financial power of so many residents. Also, the government could not carry out much of enforcement due to the governorship election in the state,” he said
Enemali expressed optimism that the revenue would increase by the year 2022 when the Geographic Information System would be fully operational.
“We believe that by 2022, the ministry will do better in terms of revenue. The GIS will go a long way in solving the major problem of double allocation of lands and check fraud, and there will be stability in terms of security,” he said.
Mr Chidi Udemadu, the state Assembly member representing Ihiala II Constituency, expressed disappointment with the ministry’s budget performance of 9%.
He also encouraged the Ministry to plug leaks in order to prevent the state from losing income.
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