Ondo State Government on Wednesday said the state Internal Revenue Service (ODIRS) had generated N800 million from ticket sales to commercial motorcyclists (okada riders) in 11 months of the outgoing year.
Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, made this known at the raffle draw and distribution of gifts to commercial motorcyclists organised by the ODIRS as a form of appreciation to them.
Akeredolu, represented by his Deputy, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, lauded the consistency of commercial motorcyclists in the daily purchase of tickets.
He said that his administration would continue to provide enabling environment for motorcyclists in the state within the stipulated periods given to them.
The governor said that before the advent of his administration, motorcycle revenue collection in the state was N4.8 million in 2017 and his administration improved the generation to N350 million in 2018 and N538 million in 2019.
Akeredolu further said that with the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the state generated N660 million and N750 million in the year 2021.
“From the records presented, I am delighted to see the level of high compliance of Commercial Motorcycle (Okada) riders to buying their daily tickets and contributing their quota to the development of Ondo State with an improved collection rate.
“It is in the light of the foregoing that we decided to give back to our riders in seven Local Government Areas namely; Akure South, Akure North, Akoko South West, Idanre, Okitipupa, Ondo West and Owo for a job well done within the course of the year.
“We believe this is indeed an encouraging development and a positive reinforcement to the outstanding local governments in Ondo State,” the governor said.
The Chairman of ODIRS, Mr Tolu Adegbie, thanked Gov. Akeredolu for rewarding motorcyclists which would serve as an encouragement to do more in year ahead.
Adegbie said the raffle draw was the second edition to appreciate the riders as a promise to give back to the group of people for consistently increasing the revenue growth of the state.
“Permit me to mention that on comparative analysis basis, there has never been any administration in Ondo State Internal Revenue that has been this active and accountable in Corporate Service Responsibilities.
“Upon coming on board with the present administration, we resolved to take up promotional movements and strategies to complement the state government’s agenda and gladly a lot has been achieved in this regard,” he said.
The Senior Special Assistant to Governor on Special Duties and Strategy, Mr Doyin Odebowale, appealed to all motorcyclists to exercise caution in their speed limit during the yuletide.
At the end of the raffle draw, Mr Samuel Temitope won the star prize of a motorcycle.
Others received gifts of various sorts for contributing their quota to the development of the state.
