Edo Assembly passes revenue harmonisation bill, targets unified IGR

Benin – The Edo House of Assembly on Tuesday passed the State Revenue Harmonisation Account Bill.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the bill was approved following its third reading during plenary in Benin.

The legislation seeks to establish a unified framework for the collection, management, control and accounting of all state revenues through a single Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) account.

It also proposes the repeal of existing laws that allow Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), as well as parastatals, to operate separate revenue accounts.

The measure is designed to strengthen transparency, accountability and efficient cash management in the state’s revenue administration.

The bill was considered clause-by-clause by the Committee of the Whole before its passage.

Following its approval, the Speaker, Mr Blessing Agbebaku, directed that clean copies be transmitted to Gov. Monday Okpebholo for assent.

In a separate development, the assembly directed chairmen of the 18 local government councils to submit details of salary payments made to security personnel engaged by their councils.

The directive followed concerns raised by the speaker under Matters of Announcement over reports of irregular salary payments affecting security personnel across the councils.

Agbebaku said the assembly aimed to determine the exact number of personnel receiving salaries and those yet to be paid.

He instructed all council chairmen to submit the payment schedules to the Chairman of the House Committee on Local Government, Mr Addeh Isibor, on or before July 24.

The speaker said the move was intended to ensure transparency and address complaints of unpaid salaries.

Agbebaku also expressed concern over the increasing disregard for restrictions on commercial motorcycle operators, popularly known as okada riders.

He noted that areas designated as prohibited zones were being openly accessed in violation of existing laws and urged relevant authorities to enforce compliance.