Eko Hot Blog reports that Anambra State Governor Prof. Chukwuma Soludo has revealed that the state’s monthly internally generated revenue (IGR) has doubled from N1.5 billion to nearly N3 billion under his administration.
In an interview on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today’ program, Soludo expressed confidence that Anambra, as a major commercial hub in the Southeast, has the potential to generate a staggering N10 billion in monthly IGR.
“In terms of IGR, when we came, we were doing N1.4bn to N1.5bn a month. Now, we are getting to a little under N3bn,” Soludo stated. “That’s not where we want to be. Our target this year is to be able to exceed N4bn, and Anambra has the potential to get up to N10bn on a monthly basis.”
The governor attributed the increase in IGR to reforms aimed at easing the burden on low-income earners and small businesses. “For example, we stopped taxes and levies on petty traders, hawkers, people who have capital less than N100,000, truck and barrow pushers and others so that the poor can not only breathe but also walk and run,” he explained.
Soludo highlighted his administration’s efforts to put money back into the pockets of Anambra residents through social welfare programs. “For us, we are putting money in the pockets of individuals with free basic education. That’s money back in the pockets of people. Free antenatal, delivery, and caesarean operation in all public hospitals,” he said. “You need to hear the testimonials of people. There are 42,079 women now undergoing various forms of ante-natal in Anambra free of charge and thousands of delivery every month in public hospitals at zero mortality.”
On the employment front, the governor claimed that his government has created more jobs than any previous administration in the state. “In terms of direct employment, this government is probably the first to create more jobs in the state. I don’t know about anyone else,” Soludo asserted.
He cited specific figures, stating, “In the first nine months of our coming into office in terms of our human capital, social agenda, health, and education, we have employed 5,000 teachers directly because there is no school without good teachers. And we’re processing another 3,000. We have employed over a thousand health workers and professionals in all the medical facilities around the state.”
Soludo also noted the creation of over 2,000 jobs in the security sector, bringing the total direct employment figure to over 11,000 positions. “So, in terms of direct employment, you might be talking about well over 11,000. When you talk about employment, the government is the enabler. I am giving you the numbers, and there are very few places where you can have that number of direct employment given the circumstances of the country today,” he stated.
As Anambra continues to make strides in revenue generation and job creation, Soludo’s administration aims to position the state as a leading economic force in the region.
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