The Amosun phenomenon in Ogun State

SIMPLICITY, discipline and steadfastness are perhaps some of the adjectives required in describing Senator Ibikunle Amosun, the amiable governor of Ogun State. Amosun, who is also the apostle of prudence, transparency and accountability in governance, has left no one in doubt as to his mission in Government House. Very modest, articulate and principled, Amosun is a silent performer who has warmed himself to the hearts of the people with his populist programmes as well as his well designed policy of developing an industrial and commercial economy that has provided wealth and abundant opportunities for his people.

The administration of Governor Amosun has not only restored confidence of the people to government but has boldly embarked on far-reaching socio-economic reforms and programmes that have touched positively, the people of the state. On December 1, 2017, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) released the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) figures for states of the federation for the third quarter of this year, with 19 states generating total revenue of N149.45 billion. The bureau in the report stated that 17 states had yet to submit their IGR reports for the period. The report stated that Lagos State recorded the highest IGR, with N73.74 billion; while Ogun State followed with N16.9 billion. The Acting Chairman, Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Shettima Abba-Gana, had said the decline in allocation from the Federation Account by over 30 per cent had made it imperative for the commission to assist states to increase their IGR.

He said while some states had made efforts to increase their IGR to a level that was up to the amount they were getting from the Federation Account, others had yet to make such efforts. In the wake of unprecedented economic challenges in Nigeria, which have resulted in trying times for both the Federal and the State Governments, Ogun State has navigated these troubled economic times with relative success. Tough times have a way of prompting introspection and the Amosun administration has undertaken necessary operational review over the past six years and has continued to do the very best in pursuit of its ‘Mission to Rebuild’ agenda, despite the difficult economic times. The vast potential of Ogun State cannot be denied. The geographical diversity and attractive location of the State means that it has the potential to build economic strength through Agriculture, Solid Minerals, Trade, Tourism, Services as well as Commerce and Industry.  These have been vigorously pursued and translated into opportunities, productivity and wealth for the people of the state.

Governor Amosun has continued to draw strength from Ogun State’s proud heritage. He has resolved to look beyond these challenging times and kept his eyes fixed on the ball. He remains convinced that Ogun State is an Emerging Economic Powerhouse that is central to Nigeria’s economic diversification effort and cannot afford to be deterred in the midst of current difficulties. Governor Amosun has not underestimated the enormity of the task of turning around the prosperity of Ogun State.  Since he assumed power in 2011, he has prioritised the attraction of private capital to Ogun State to spur the ‘Mission to Rebuild’ agenda. Ogun State had languished near the bottom of the World Bank Ease of Doing Business index in the 2010 report but was ranked as one of the five most-improved states in the country in 2014 report of the global financial institution. Due to prudent husbandry of the scarce resources of the State and his less reliance on the monthly Federal Allocation, Governor Amosun has not defaulted in the payment of salaries. It is worth noting that the Treasury Single Account (TSA), which the Amosun administration introduced in 2011, has now got nation-wide acceptance and enabled the State to block leakages in the system. To increase the revenue of the state, Governor Amosun had constituted a Revenue Committee chaired by the Governor himself where issues on businesses and internally generated revenue are sorted out.

The establishment of One-Stop Shop domiciled in the state Ministry of Commerce and Industry as well as synergy that exists among all ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) has removed the usual bottlenecks that impede investors’ access to lands, building approval, environmental impact analysis and these have enhanced the ease of doing business in Ogun State. The usual bottlenecks which government removed from its relationship and partnership with private sector, coupled with massive investment in infrastructure such as roads, bridges, pipe-borne water, education, health and electricity is the magic behind the increased internally generated revenue.

• Durojaiye is Governor Amosun’s Special Adviser on Information & Strategy.