The Borno State Geographic Information Service (BOGIS) has strategized to boost its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) yet to be harnessed. The revenue target is N1.5 billion, as over N350 million had been realized by BOGIS in the first quarter of 2021. While unfolding the strategies Thursday in Maiduguri, The Executive Director, Herwa Community Development Initiative, Amb. Mohammed Hassan in a paper titled: “The Impact of Internally Generated Revenue on Government Activities,” disclosed that; “Enforcement must be made for all persons that do not want to pay outstanding fees, including accumulated ground rents.” According to him, BOGIS should also ensure that all occupied spaces must be paid to the board that renders services to people. Other identified strategies to boost revenue, include the creation of layouts to develop allocated plots of land in Maiduguri metropolis. He noted that as there is resistance to change among the general public and traditional rulers, advocacy and publicity on activities BOGIS be also executed immediately. He added that there should be an upward review of all BOGIS’s payable fees and remitted into the Treasury Single Account (TSA).
Waivers of fees, according to him, should be extended to people who cooperate with BOGIS by promptly paying their fees. On the changing dynamics of Urbanization, he said: “BOGIS should also review the land laws and policies on urban and rural areas of the state.” While lamenting challenges of strategies, he said: “Erection of illegal structures that distort laid out plans be stopped to enhance contagious urban development process. He added that the confrontation of traditional leaders with BOGIS field workers should also be addressed. He said that some of the staff lack proper identifications, while working in the fields. While allocating plots of land, he said: “You should ensure complete design, demarcation and survey of new layouts before allocating them to the people.” He added that there should be speedy operations to avoid selective render of service. While warning workers, he said: “You should adhere strictly to rules and regulations of BOGIS, including the training and re-training of staff.”
