Kogi will generate N25 bn in one year if elected governor says APGA candidate
Aluta News
Mr Idoko Ilona, the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate in the November 11 governorship election in Kogi has pledged to internally generate N25 billion in revenue in one year if elected governor.
In an interview with newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday, Ilona said that the major challenge of the state is insufficient funds to drive developmental programmes.
Ilona said that as an entrepreneur, he started a company 20 years ago with less than eight million naira and grew it to over N30 billion in 2023 with World Guinness Record in advertisement to show.
Ilona’s company holds a World Guinness Record for the world’s largest adverting structure covering a land space of 9,600 sqm with a height equal to the 13 storey building
The governorship aspirant said that he had identified 56 companies to be established in the state at least one in each Local Government Area.
He said that his ambition is on a tripod known as ‘The Ilona-TEA’ Transparency, Equity and Accountability and that Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) is top of the agenda.
“In the past two years, I have set up a team experts, financial analysts and consultants and have paid hundreds of million for them to develop a blue print for Kogi.
“We can generate between 20 to 25 billion naira within our six months to one year in Kogi, this is not a fluke.
“We have identified about 56 different companies to be established in Kogi, at least one in each Local Government Area.
“This is possible if God gives us power or whosoever God gives power and comes to seek advice from us and want us to work together, we can do this thing,” he said.
Ilona said that he is not desperate to be governor but he is desperate for good leadership in Kogi and that he wants the best for the people.
The APGA flag-bearer said that the proposed N25 billion will be used to enforce free and compulsory education for children between zero to 18 years of age.
He said that healthcare will so be free for children between zero and 18 years and for the aged who are 60 years of age and above if elected governor.
“IGR is the major key to success, we are not going to over tax existing companies in the state but by bringing the wider people into the tax regime.
“If you sell corn, vegetable or sell food, whatever you do, you must get your tax identity number, you must pay tax even if it’s N1,000.
“This guarantees your child free education, for your child to be admired into school, parents must show their personal identification tax number.
“Tax is very important to us, everybody must pay tax and because you pay tax, when you take your child to the hospital, that tax identification number will be required to treat your child for free.
“We will encourage people to insurance, if all the artisans pay tax or health insurance as low as one thousand naira and he know his get will get treatment free even if it costs N20,000, he will pay,’ he said.
He said 50 per cent of the security volt will going into education saying that with proper education and employment in the state, insecurity will die a quick natural death.
He said if elected, he would support the federal government to complete and inaugurate the Ajaokuta Steel Plant for the benefit of the people of Kogi and all Nigerians.