The Chairman of Somolu Local Government Hon. Lateef Ashimi has appealed to residents of the council to ensure prompt payments of their rates to avoid enforcement visit by officials of the Local Government.
He dropped this hint during the 2026 Budget Retreat organised by the council.
“I have no doubt in my mind that the only way we can fulfill our campaign promises to the people is to rake -in all the collectables from residents”.
He said further that, “While we complain that it is not easy to collect money from the Rate Payers at the Local Government level, the State and Federal Governments are generating more revenue more than ever before. I cannot just imagine a situation where the Federal Government handles revenue with levity and hence failed to send money into the Federation Account, the entire Government structure would have collapsed.
“While we recognise the financial difficulties and terrains in which we operate, it is very essential to convince the rate payer to discharge their constitutional responsibilities”.
He continued, “the residents need good roads, conducive learning environment, good drainage system, functional primary healthcare centres, social amenities and others. But without funds, these can’t be achieved.
“This Retreat is an eye opener for me personally. It is very interesting getting to know the dos and don’ts of revenue generation in the Local Government.
“Let us work assiduously to block revenue leakages so that funds that are accrued can benefit a larger segment rather than few individuals in the society,” the Council boss concluded.
The council’s Head of Budget, Planning and Statistics, Mr Femi Giwa told the rate collectors to take full advantage of the revenue Data generated by the Budget, Planning and Statistics department.
In attendance were: the Vice Chairman, Hon Taiwo Hassan Ojomu; the Leader of the Legislative Arm, Hon James Tunde Oyeyiola; the Chief of Staff to the Chairman, Prince Sodiq Adeeso; and other management staff of Somolu Local Government.
