A silent transformation is going down in Bayelsa State, and it’s rewriting the narrative of economic administration in Nigeria. As soon as suffering from income leakages and inefficiencies, the state has now recorded a historic milestone in its Internally Generated Income (IGR), pulling in an unprecedented ₦4.2 billion in a single month—a staggering 320% improve from earlier figures.
The catalyst for this {financial} revolution?
A cutting-edge digital ticketing (e-ticketing) system spearheaded by the Chairman of the State Inner Income Board, Dr. Daniel Eniekezimene.
A System Overdue for Change
For years, Bayelsa’s income assortment system suffered from poor oversight, rampant corruption, and guide processes that left gaps for large {financial} losses.
Middlemen typically siphoned funds meant for the state, leaving authorities coffers depleted and limiting funding in vital 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 technique 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 growing accountability.
A Lifeline for Enterprise House owners
For native enterprise homeowners and transport operators, the influence 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 aid: “Prior to now, we had no thought the place our cash was going. We might pay a number of occasions a day, but nonetheless be chased round for extra. Now, with the e-ticketing system, I get a receipt immediately, and nobody can cheat me. It’s a giant aid.”
This digital transformation ensures that tax and levies paid by residents straight contribute to the state’s growth, relatively than lining the pockets of corrupt officers.
Governor Diri’s Imaginative and prescient for {Economic} Progress
Governor Douye Diri’s administration has obtained widespread reward for embracing expertise to drive {economic} progress and monetary sustainability. With the elevated income, Bayelsa is now in a greater place to fund infrastructural tasks, enhance healthcare companies, improve training, and assist social welfare applications.
READ ALSO: Diri Lifts 5-Yr 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 an important step in attaining long-term {economic} stability.
“With this method in place, Bayelsa is setting a precedent for digital income assortment in Nigeria,” remarked a {financial} professional observing the event.
A Mannequin for Different States
Bayelsa’s success is already inspiring different Nigerian states to discover comparable digital options. The effectivity and effectiveness of e-ticketing show that technology-driven governance will not be solely the way forward for income assortment but additionally a mannequin for enhancing public administration and repair supply.
With this innovation in place, Bayelsa is 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 brighter than ever.
