Imo targets N1.5 billion monthly IGR to pay workers, others

To pay workers in the state service and handle other state obligations, Imo State Government is targeting monthly internally generated revenue of N1.5 billion to complement its monthly federal allocation for the payment of workers and other obligations.

This comes as the state government is yet to make a categorical statement on the implementation of the new N30, 000 minimum wage.
The state currently receives slightly above N4 billion monthly federal allocations. It also recorded monthly IGR of N875 million as of September 2019, from N241 million when the Emeka Ihedioha Administration came on board on May 29.

The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Public Enlightenment, Eze Ugochukwu, stated this during an Imo Broadcasting Corporation (IBC) monitored programme, ‘In Focus’.

Ugochukwu said the state government is left with only about N390 million to work with after deductions, and other monthly obligations such as salaries, pension payment, and others.

He also stated that the scheduled commencement of payment of two months pensions of over 25,000 retirees will commence soon as approved by the governor.

According to him, further breakdown of government’s revenue shows that out of the entire funds received by the state government, salaries gulp over N2. 5 billion, over N800 million goes into payment of pensions, while other deductions take about N1.2 billion.

Ugochukwu expressed joy that due to the measures put in place to ensure accountability and transparency in governance by the governor, he signed Executive Order 005, the government closed down over 250 proxy accounts and introduced Treasury Single Account (TSA) where all revenues go into.

His words: “We have now N875 million monthly IGR from N241 million in June. The target is to have N1.5 billion monthly. About 250 proxy accounts were closed down and TSA introduced.”

Ugochukwu urged Imo people to be patient on the bad state of roads poorly constructed by the immediate past administration, noting that soon after the rains, contractors would be mobilised to sites to construct durable roads that would have not less than 15 years lifespan.

He expressed optimism that the Ihedioha administration will not disappoint the teeming electorate that cast their winning votes for him.