Aggressive Revenue Drive in Delta will Increase Poverty, Criminality in Delta State

By Ezekiel Kagbala

FocalPoint Reports

The Delta State government has recently adopted several methodologies in accruing revenue in the state. These revenue accrual policies comes in the form of development levy on citizens.

The aim of these policies is to create a better life for the citizens, however the private sector has been made to face the brunt of the pain in actualizing this dream. This is due to the increase in the already straining expenses being imposed on the private workers. However, with the introduction of these new levies, there will be an increase in the charges placed on house owners and car owners for 'developmental' purposes.

It is essential that the aggresive revenue drive in Delta State be reviewed and the methods reevaluated. The consequence of this policy, unchecked, will be an increase in poverty and criminality in the state as landlords, motorists and others affected will increase their rent, charges in order to keep up with rising expenses which will in turn, adversely affect those paying for the different services.

No matter the goal of the state, creating revenue source should not be made to strangulate the private sector. It is regrettable that the revenue collection has become another empowerment for corrupt and criminally minded individuals possibly loyal to the government. This has dampened the hope of achieving the goal of this policy as the funds gathered do not make it to the desired purses.

It is imperative for any Government to dedicatedly think of new ways to better the lives of the citizens and in order to actualize these plans, revenue must be generated. Nevertheless, Governor Okowa's adminstration should not tolerate those who generate the state revenue into their private pockets and bank accounts as is being done.

Persons with nameless organizations have been put on the streets to spear-head this development and the mode of carrying out the revenue collection is aggressive and oppressive putting the people ill at ease. It is appalling to witness the levy collection method these bodies employ. Tartered, uneducated touts are being entrusted with tasks that they are ill-suited for.

The state governor should initiate programs to support small scale traders though effective Collaboration with the Local government Chairmen. This will ease the rate of poverty in the State and make it easy for them to comply with the levies stipulated by the state.

Rebranding 'Deve' with an English name does not give those struggling any sense of joy for doing business in the state. It still entails the unnecessary payment of levies that covertly go into private pockets of political individuals/figures.

Our hardworking governor should think more about Deltans that than his fellow political class.

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