In a bid to reposition the lottery and gaming sector for increased revenue, the Minister for Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Mr. Zephaniah Jisalo, issued a stern warning to operators who fail to meet statutory obligations.
The announcement came during the official commissioning and handover of 15 motorized boreholes in 15 Benue communities by the National Lottery Trust Fund.
Mr. Jisalo emphasized the sector’s vast potential, stating that the Federal Government is committed to revitalizing the industry for the benefit of Nigeria’s economic growth.
He highlighted the global trend of using lottery-generated wealth for infrastructural and socio-economic development and expressed optimism about Nigeria’s ability to leverage its population and economic strength.
“With today’s commissioning, the National Lottery Trust Fund has demonstrated that the lottery is a viable tool for socio-economic development,” Mr. Jisalo declared.
He called on Nigerians to expect a new dimension of the Renewed Hope Agenda under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
Commending the Fund for successfully delivering 15 water projects in Benue, Mr. Jisalo noted that the intervention would bring clean portable water closer to beneficiaries, curb the spread of diseases, and improve the health of the communities.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs. Patricia Ibiene, urged communities to take ownership of the projects and protect them from vandals.
Dr. Bello Maigari, the Executive Secretary of the Fund, assured continued intervention in communities across the country in need of portable water supply.
Acting Chairman of Tarka Local Government Area, Mr. Fidelis Oluga, praised the Federal Government for situating projects in the council and pledged to protect and maintain them.
During the event, the Minister symbolically commissioned projects in communities within Gboko and Tarka Local Government Areas.
The Federal Government’s commitment to the lottery sector, combined with the National Lottery Trust Fund’s initiatives, reflects a strategic approach to boosting both economic opportunities and essential infrastructure in communities across Nigeria.
