The Benue State Sports Marketing and Lottery Board (BSMLB) has concluded plans to establish zonal offices across the three senatorial zones in the state.
This decision was made known by the Executive Secretary of BSMLB, Hon. Michael Uper, during a meeting with the management of the board held at its headquarters in Makurdi Monday.
According to Hon. Uper, “the zonal offices when established will help to intensify monitoring of the gaming activities in the 23 local government areas of the state and will make the board more available and accessible to the operators in those areas.”
The zonal offices are expected to be established in Katsina-Ala, Gboko, and Otukpo Local Government Areas in April, 2025.
Hon. Uper emphasized that the proposed zonal offices “will also help us to ensure a more effective and transparent revenue collection for the board, thereby increasing our state IGR and with those offices, the sporting and gaming activities in the state will be more monitored.”
In addition to the establishment of zonal offices, the BSMLB has announced plans to organize a workshop for its staff from March 19 to March 21, 2025, as the Executive Secretary charged heads of various departments to ensure that the staff under their watch are well trained to enhance effective performance.
The board also plans to collaborate with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to tap into revenue from operators in the Benue airspace.
Speaking separately, Mr. Terwase Iortim, erstwhile acting Executive Secretary, and Moses Gba, Information Officer, Emmanuel Adegbe, Head of ICT, all expressed support for the establishment of zonal offices.
Mr. Chris Akpa, Head of Monitoring and Inspection, and Mr. Gadafi Asemanya, Head of Enforcement and Compliance, also commended Hon. Uper for his efforts in changing the fortunes of the board, saying the initiative will take the board to the next level and minimize cost of operation.
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