A silent transformation is going down in Bayelsa State, and it’s rewriting the narrative of economic administration in Nigeria. Once stricken by income leakages and inefficiencies, the state has now recorded a historic milestone in its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), pulling in an unprecedented ₦4.2 billion in a single month—a staggering 320% enhance from earlier figures.
The catalyst for this {financial} revolution?
A cutting-edge digital ticketing (e-ticketing) system spearheaded by the Chairman of the State Internal Revenue Board, Dr. Daniel Eniekezimene.
A System Overdue for Change
For years, Bayelsa’s income assortment system suffered from poor oversight, rampant corruption, and handbook processes that left gaps for large {financial} losses.
Middlemen usually siphoned funds meant for the state, leaving authorities coffers depleted and limiting funding in important public companies. The introduction of e-ticketing, nonetheless, has modified the sport, offering an environment friendly, clear, and fraud-proof system that ensures each transaction is tracked and accounted for.
The once-chaotic means of income assortment from transport operators, merchants, and small companies has now been streamlined. With funds digitized, the state can precisely monitor {financial} inflows, eliminating leakages and rising accountability.
A Lifeline for Business Owners
For native enterprise homeowners and transport operators, the impression of e-ticketing has been profound. Tricycle riders, bus drivers, and market merchants who beforehand endured harassment and extortion from unscrupulous income collectors now expertise a seamless and truthful system.
Isaac Tamuno, a tricycle operator in Yenagoa, expressed his reduction: “Before now, we had no idea where our money was going. We would pay multiple times a day, yet still be chased around for more. Now, with the e-ticketing system, I get a receipt instantly, and no one can cheat me. It’s a big relief.”
This digital transformation ensures that tax and levies paid by residents instantly contribute to the state’s improvement, moderately than lining the pockets of corrupt officers.
Governor Diri’s Vision for Economic Growth
Governor Douye Diri’s administration has acquired widespread reward for embracing know-how to drive {economic} development and monetary sustainability. With the elevated income, Bayelsa is now in a greater place to fund infrastructural tasks, enhance healthcare companies, improve schooling, and help social welfare applications.
READ ALSO: Diri Lifts 5-Year Job Ban, Approves 1,000 Bayelsa Civil Service Jobs
This landmark achievement alerts a shift in direction of {financial} independence, decreasing the state’s overreliance on federal allocations. Analysts have hailed this as a vital step in reaching long-term {economic} stability.
“With this system in place, Bayelsa is setting a precedent for digital revenue collection in Nigeria,” remarked a {financial} knowledgeable observing the event.
A Model for Other States
Bayelsa’s success is already inspiring different Nigerian states to discover related digital options. The effectivity and effectiveness of e-ticketing show that technology-driven governance is just not solely the way forward for income assortment but in addition a mannequin for enhancing public administration and repair supply.
With this innovation in place, Bayelsa is now not simply catching up; it’s setting the tempo. The state’s {financial} trajectory has modified, and with sustained dedication to transparency and innovation, its {economic} future appears to be like brighter than ever.
