In his bid to execute more people-oriented projects in the state, Kano state Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje on Thursday set up an 11-man Committee on Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) with the task of increasing revenue generation drive in the state by 300 per cent within the next six months.
Ganduje while recalling that his administration restructured the IGR agency at inception, with a view to strengthening IGR collection in the state, pointed out that more needed to be done as revenue collection in the state still remain lower than expected.
He further stated that with increasing demand of provision of democratic dividends, in the face of dwindling oil production, there was need to look inwards so as to boost the revenue generation in the state.
According to him, “the price of oil is going down every day; coupled with security challenges being faced in the oil producing areas which has reduced the quantum of oil production.
“With our agenda of taking Kano to the Next Level, where we already have free education from primary to secondary school levels. We have also pledged to improve the living standard of people living in the rural areas, so there is need to improve on our revenue generation drive.”
Ganduje clarified that the new tax regime was not meant to tighten the living condition of the common man, adding that the task to increase the revenue base is necessary.
He charged the Committee to block leakages and ensure total compliance to their terms of reference.
He added that, “Kano is no doubt the most populous state in the country. With consistent increase in population, there is increase in basic and infrastructural needs such as schools, health and many others.
“With the current level of revenue generation, it is pretty difficult for government to meet the needs and obligations of the populace, hence, the urgent need to boost our IGR. We must ensure that those that are yet to be capture are captured.
“We must ensure we block leakages and other sabotage where revenues collected are not being remitted into government’s coffers.”
The terms of reference of the Committee include 300 per cent increase in six months, ensuring total compliance of revenue generation remittance to the state Treasury Single Account (TSA), review tax agreement with revenue generating agencies, advice government on IGR and create public awareness and strategy to improve IGR in the state.
Responding, the chairman of the Committee and Chief of Staff to the Governor, Dr. Ali Haruna Makoda assured the government of the committee’s determination to meet the mandate given to them.
He, however, thanked the Governor for giving them the mandate and the confidence reposed on them to carry out the assignment.
