Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has called for the
merging of government’s Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) as
part of efforts to curb wastage in government.
Obasanjo made the call on Tuesday in Abeokuta while
addressing members of the Joint Tax Board who paid him a courtesy call
at his Hilltop residence.
The former president said that government needed to block all forms of financial leakages due to the dwindling revenue.
He also advised that the various states should increase
their revenue generating drive and ensure that taxpayers money were
utilised to provide necessary infrastructure for benefit of all
citizens.
“When times are hard, that is when governments need increased drive for internally generated revenue.
“They have to look into ways of becoming slimmer and also
bring together establishments or institutions which cannot continue to
exist separately.
“They should also ensure that the funds generated from taxes are well utilised.
“I think these are some of the things we have to do to get us out of the tight situation that we are all in,” he said.
Mr Babatunde Fowler, Chairman of the Joint Tax Board noted
that tax earnings available to the Federal Government had increased
through a renewed drive by the board.
He gave assurance that Nigerians would continue to benefit from the laudable projects financed through funds from taxes.
NAN
