BY ABUBAKAR H. MUHAMMAD, JANUARY 28, 2022 | 02:25 PM
Borno, one of the states with very low revenues in Nigeria, has put up measures to boost its internal generating capacity.
Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, governor of the state has on many occasions raised concern on the poor revenue generation mechanism in the state and has after his assumption into office, placed emphasis on enhancing the system.
He has made sure all taxes due to the state are collected such house and ground rent.
The governor also rejigged revenue agencies and established new ones.
In his first year in office, the state generated N8.17 billion IGR from the N6.52 billion of the previous year, recording a 25 percent increase.
Similarly, in August last year, Governor Zulum said the Borno State Board of Internal Revenue Service has also been re-positioned to boost the IGR of the state, where he announced a 24 percent increase in the state’s IGR.
Adamu Lawan, commissioner of finance, budget and economic planning of the state has disclosed that the government is targeting an internally generated revenue of over N20.7 billion in 2022 fiscal year.
This he said was following the over N16 billion it generated in 2021.
Lawan said this on Thursday while giving breakdown of the 2022 budget of the state.
Apart from local IGR sources, the commissioner explained that the revenue would be generated through blocking of leakages, liabilities of federal civil servants and other liabilities owed by the federal government as well as Pay As You Earn, PAYE, of international non- governmental organizations, INGOs with head offices in the state.
It can be recalled that the state’s 2022 approved budget tagged “Budget of hope for post conflict stability “, amount to N269, 696.8 billion naira with recurrent expenditure of over N100 billion, representing 37 percent and capital expenditure of N169.6 billion, 63 percent.
Lawan added that the budget is expected to mobilize and support thousands of selfless and determined youths, Civilian Joint Taskforce, vigilantes and hunters who are at the forefront of saving the lives and properties of citizens in various communities across the state.
‘The budget will enhance will enhance the Agricultural sector to forestall for security, and reduce dependency on food resulting from the over 12-year Boko Haram insurgency. Massive investment in Education, healthcare and social welfare to reinvigorate the state’s human resources and restore economic growth through job creation and support for small and medium enterprises, SMEs.’
Part of the development initiative, the commissioner said, was the allocation of N2 billion to BOGIS, to enable the agency to pay compensation for lands and properties taken over by the state government for its programs.
He added that the state government has also set out about N707 million for clearance of leave grants of workers from 2019 to 2021.
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