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From Lateef Dada, Osogbo
Osun State Government has inaugurated the Farm Produce Revenue Enforcement Team as part of efforts to rejuvenate processes for improving internally generated revenue.
Speaking at the inauguration held at the weekend in Osogbo, the Commissioner for Finance, Adeola Ogungbile, stated that the engagement of Messrs Homeland Tropical Trading Enterprise Limited as a revenue enforcement consultant firm by the state government and as an adopted baby of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security will enhance the measures of raising funds for the multi-billion naira Infrastructural Development Project of the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture and Food Security, Stephen Atidade, noted that the revenue-generating firm has vast experience in agro-commodities trading such as cocoa, palm kernel nuts, and kola nut fees, among others, as well as in revenue enforcement consulting, affirming that it has rendered services to several state governments, resulting in their increased revenue collection and improved fiscal management.
Noting that Osun is blessed with several cocoa plantations spread across the length and breadth of the state, Atidade stated that the firm is engaged to enforce payment of appropriate dues on cocoa and other related products and to help in blocking leakages and inappropriate remittance of fees, thereby increasing the IGR of the state astronomically.
Atidade further said that the present administration would go the extra mile to ensure that revenue is mobilized for the execution of people-oriented projects as contained in the 2024 budget. He urged the firm to be transparent in its activities.
The Managing Director of Homeland Tropical Trading Enterprise Limited, Mr Feyi Adejumo, promised to work in synergy with all stakeholders connected directly and indirectly with engagement operations towards achieving the mandate.
While emphasizing the need for partnership and collaboration as he embarked on the mandate, he added that field officers of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment would play a significant role in ensuring his success in meeting the set targets and bringing the much-needed revenue into the government coffers.
“It is only through seamless teamwork that we can provide the necessary infrastructural and welfare services to the citizens of Osun. As we commence this endeavour, I want to make it clear that any leakages in the revenue generation drive will be strongly addressed without fear or favour,” Adejumo said.
The event was witnessed by the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Jimi Bada, Commissioner for Economic Planning, Budget, and Development, Prof. Ademola Adeleke, the Special Adviser to Governor Adeleke on Revenue as well as the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Mr Akeem Bello.
