The Lagos State revenue collection will be fully digitized, according
to the Executive Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, reiterating confidence in Interswitch
ability to collect digital revenues for the state, reports ITRealms.
This was contained in a press statement by Interswitch, and
made available to ITRealms, revealing
that the government's vision is to actualize extensive adoption of electronic
channels in the payment of taxes, levies and other government payments.
"To ensure that the government improves on the quality
of service delivery to our people, effective 1st March 2018, no payment or
taxes will be made by cash henceforth across the State. Tax payers should be
able to pay all legitimate taxes and bills through all payment channels at
their own time and convenience. The transaction process is now going to be everyday,
anytime and on weekends," he said.
It was revealed that this full digitization will be made
possible through a partnership with Interswitch.
Elucidating further on what informed the Lagos State
Government's resolution to partner with Interswitch to digitize payments and
collections in Lagos, Governor Ambode added that;
"Interswitch has been at the forefront of efficient and
secure public sector payments and collections at National and State levels for
quite a while now, and we are confident in their ability to provide strong
support and the state-of-the-art payment infrastructure, comparable to such
obtainable anywhere in the world as well as the capabilities required to
facilitate seamless implementation of this policy in a state like Lagos."
Commenting on the announcement, Founder and Group Chief Executive
Officer, Interswitch, Mitchell Elegbe expressed Interswitch's commitment to
providing omni-channel payment infrastructure which will facilitate seamless
transaction processes in revenue collection to make it easy and convenient for
the good people of Lagos who can now pay every day, any time and online.
"Over the last few years, we have invested extensively
in building and continuously developing a variety of payment channels which
facilitate real-time transaction through any means desirable by all parties
within the payment process. Our vision at Interswitch is an Africa where
payment becomes a seamless part of our everyday lives, and we are resolutely
committed to working with Lagos State to embrace a fully digital future, in
line with our resolve to continue to create digital transaction solutions that
enable individuals and communities prosper across Africa."
In view of this partnership with the LASG, government
payments will now be possible through multiple channels including physical
payments in any branch of any bank, and using Interswitch solutions such as
Interswitch Paydirect, Interswitch Payment Gateway, Quickteller Paypoint, and
Mobile Apps/USSD codes of LASG MDAs, thereby encouraging real-time cashless
payments directly to the State Treasury.
Observers have lauded this development as a welcome
breakthrough in public sector finance, accountability and service-delivery as
it essentially underscores the unwavering and forward-thinking dynamism of the
Lagos State Government, with effective public-private collaboration at its
heart.
Chuks Egbune/GEE
ITREALMS ... everything news digitally!
