Evaluation of revenue channels and challenges in Osun State Forestry Service, Nigeria

Abstract

Forest revenue system is a tool for obtaining maximum benefits from the management of forest resources, meanwhile its collection has been inadequate and lack proper coordination of achieving sustainable production of forest resources in Osun State. Therefore, various tapped and untapped revenue channels, challenges associated with effective collection and remittance were investigated. A total of 113 forest officials were identified and reached (100%) in all the forestry administrative zones in Osun State, including the headquarters through a set of questionnaire: Ilesa (21), Ile-ife (26), Ikirun (14), Ikire/ Iwo (28) and Headquarters in Osogbo (24). Secondary data were also collected. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logit regression at α_0.05. The average age of the respondents was 35±8.4 years, mostly male (67%) and had tertiary education (44%). Identified tapped revenue channels included timber tariff and firewood permit, while untapped revenue channels identified were gravel/sand’s evacuation and harvesting of Non-Timber Forest Products. Challenges confronting effective collection included improper law enforcement, location of resources and executive fiat with odds-ratio of 8.60, 3.52 and 1.70 respectively. Problems facing adequate revenue remittance included printing of fake receipts, improper remittance by the account staff, and inadequate mobility of field staff and lack of incentives for field officers with odds-ratio of 13.10, 3.30, 3.13 and 2.62 respectively. The study revealed various untapped revenue channels; it is therefore necessary for the State forestry service to utilize these sources to improving the revenue inclination in the State and also address the identified challenges facing collection and remittance.

Keywords: Revenue channels, Revenue Collection, Revenue remittance, untapped sources, Tapped sources