From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
The Federal Government said it is committed to maximizing returns from other non oil sources of revenues such lottery as alternative revenue sources for the development of the nation
The Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Zaphaniah Bitrus, stated this at Wanune, Tarka Local Government Area (LGA), of Benue state while commissioning motorized boreholes for 15 communities across the state.
He said the Federal Government will harness and apply every available resource at its disposal for the benefit of Nigerians saying it was convinced of the enormous potential which lottery holds for the development of the nation.
Bitrus said “By today’s commissioning, the National Lottery Trust Fund has proved to Nigerians that lottery is working and it is now ready to rise up to its statutory mandate.
He said Nigerians should get ready for a new dimension of the Renewed Hope Agenda of this Administration led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as it will give full attention to the industry to ensure that it performs optimally to meet the revenue and developmental aspirations of the nation.
“Therefore, government is committed in putting policies meant to automate revenue collections, repealing the National Lottery Act (NLA), 2005 with the National Gaming Act, in order to accommodate the growing dynamism of lottery business in the country and help steer the industry to international best practices for improved returns to good causes and interventions across the country.
“Consequently, we are committed in ensuring that returns obtainable from other non oil sources of revenues are maximized, hence lottery is one of such alternative revenue sources that this Government has identified and is determined to make it more productive and sustainable.
“As the sector becomes firmly established, it is our expectation that lottery will be included in the strategic plans of the nation
Bitrus charged all people and organizations licensed to engage in national lottery business to sit up and be ready to meet up with their statutory obligation to avoid being sanctioned.