At the core of Nigeria’s sports-obsessed nation, Abia State is on the cusp of transforming its sports landscape. For years, insufficient funding has scuttled sports development in the state, leaving athletes, administrators, and sports enthusiasts yearning for better facilities, training and opportunities. However, a game-changing strategy has been deployed — digital revenue collection. By harnessing tech prowess to optimise revenue collection, Abia can herald a sports renaissance, empowering athletes, administrators, and fans alike.
For aeons, revenue collection was handled manually, thereby creating an avenue for unauthorised diversion of public funds and corrupt practices. Funds went missing as they couldn’t be accounted for. The electronic collection of revenue curbs fund erosion as every single payment is not only recorded, but also trackable and accountable.
The digitalisation exercise has witnessed the deployment of top-notch tech like mobile payment platforms, online ticketing systems, and data analytics to track cash flows, spot areas of improvement, and streamline resource allocation. This development has enhanced revenue generation in Abia State, which can be ploughed back into sports, thereby creating a conducive environment for athletes to thrive.
Central to the digitalisation of revenue collection of Abia State is Bems Soft, a subsidiary of Bems Group, a software development company that has, over the years, acquired sufficient expertise in software development, application management, enterprise application development, and is fully grounded in deploying these applications across multiple sectors, which include government institutions, business organisations, commercial establishment, religious bodies etc.
Through its SmartIRS application, they have optimised the collection and management of revenue for some state governments in Nigeria. The company went further to build different models that allow collections to be seamlessly done across the board. Traders, transporters, and business organisations now get to make payments electronically, thus eliminating the inconvenience and time-wasting associated with the manual process. Even the ardent football fan is not left out. With the introduction of the SmartIRS e-ticketing platform for sports, they created an online access for fans to buy match tickets.
It is noteworthy that Bems Soft is an indigenous company. The Umuahia-based company has, through the years, built systems for the oil and gas industry through its PetroSwift. The logistics industry services have also been enhanced by the company’s SWIFT application. As a company that keeps evolving, they will be launching their payment platform called Bems Pay via Bems Microfinance Bank very soon. All these services are within the purview of Bems Soft Hub.
According to the company’s Group Managing Director, Dr Pastra Etie, the company’s world-class technology was built in Umuahia, and they have broadened their business footprint across other African countries. Interestingly, they have maintained 99.9 per cent uptime.
The digitalisation of the State’s revenue collection championed by His Excellency, Dr Alex Chioma Otti, is a step in the right direction, given its positive impact. It has enhanced accountability and eradicated long-standing obstacles that hampered efficiency across sectors, including sports.
God’s Own State can trigger sports growth by leveraging technology to streamline revenue collection, empowering athletes and sports administrators. This strategy enhances accountability, transparency, and efficiency in sports management.
Sports development in God’s Own State demands effective funding, effective and efficient management, as well as infrastructure. Digital revenue collection, like ticket sales, will definitely boost sports in the State. E-tickets denote that more money will be at the disposal of the government to upgrade facilities, fund teams, and develop young talents. Athletes, administrators, and fans all win — athletes get better training and opportunities, sports administrators get data insights, and fans get more value.
The digital revenue collection initiative by Dr Alex Otti led-Abia State Government is a game-changer, boosting revenue, bringing transparency and convenience, while revolutionising sports development and management. With this digital strategy, Abia is poised to become a sports hub, attracting athletes, sports administrators and fans, and launching a new chapter of sports growth in the state.
Solomon Igwe, media officer of Abia Warriors FC, writes from Umuahia, Abia State