The Ondo state government has revealed that the inability of occupants of Kudirat Abiola Shopping Mall in Akure in paying up their outstanding debts to the state government is hindering the development plans of the state.
This statement was made by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Pharmacist Funmilayo Osundolire during an interactive session with stakeholders of the shopping mall in her office.
The Permanent Secretary noted that if the mall occupants could offset the debts they owe, it will help the government carry out the needed maintenance of the hall which will be beneficial to the users.
Osundolire explained that the mall is very strategic to the state government particularly in the aspect of Internally Generated Revenue, IGR.
She also hinted that the state government has gotten wind of the fact that majority of the original owners of the mall are already letting out the shops to outsiders who pay them directly and not to the treasury of the state government. She enjoined them to desist from such acts.
Responding on behalf of the mall owners, Mrs. Bike Akinduro encouraged other occupants to pay up their debts, stressing that the mall fee is minute coupled with the fact that the state government has subsidised the fee.
She corroborated the claim of the Permanent Secretary by saying that for the government to put in place social and economic development for the state, there is the need for the IGR to move up.
