Lottery capable of boosting country’s revenue, says D-G
NAN-H-67
Lottery
By Kate Obande-Okewu/Joan Nwagwu
Abuja, April 5, 2017 (NAN) Mr Adolphus Ekpe, Director-General National Lottery Commission (NLRC), said on Wednesday that lottery has the capability of generating revenue and ensuring sustainable economic growth in the country.
Ekpe, who made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Wednesday in Abuja, said that lottery can be used to diversify Nigerian economy.
He defined lottery as an economic activity and an investment that creates wealth for a nations citizens and its government.
He added that the game of chance was usually played with small money and you stand a chance of winning huge amounts, noting that many Nigerians have become wealthy through lottery.
The D-G also said that lottery creates employment for the unemployed youths.
According to him, Lottery plays a very significant role of generating revenue in any economy that adopts it.
“It creates employment because you need people to operate it since it is not government that runs it.
“In Nigeria the government is creating an enabling environment for lottery to thrive by providing the regulatory framework which is what we are doing.
“Lottery could also be tied to any product or service, banks can do lottery, manufacturers can do lottery.
“And it could also be tied to transportation system such that any ticket you buy gives you a chance to win something,’’ he said.
He urged Nigerians to play lottery to generate income, adding that it is not a crime as many perceive it to be.
According to Ekpe, lottery reduces crime rate, citing an example of Enugu state where crime has reduced drastically after the establishment of R&S Lotto Company in the state.
He noted that the lotto company had employed over 5,000 youths as agents in the state and had expanded to 15 other states in the country.
The director-general told NAN that the commission was collaborating with state governors to establish offices in all the states of the federation whereby they agree to either give them a land or a property.
He disclosed that Ebonyi and Taraba state government had given them properties to create an office, adding that Oyo government is also promising them.
He explained that the collaboration was necessary to curb expenses as the rent being paid for office space was expensive and lottery scheme must be expanded to all parts of the country.
He also said that the headquarters would soon be relocated to its permanent location in the FCT. (NAN)
KTE/JAN/AFA
Edited by Felix Ajide