Pulse.ng : Kaduna Internal Revenue Service inaugurates committee to meet N120 billion revenue target for 2024

By Sani Idris

The Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS), has on Monday inaugurated the state joint revenue committee to ensure meeting Governor Uba Sani’s revenue target of N120 billion.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the committee compromised 23 chairmen of the state joint revenue committee cut across all the LGAs and representatives from various ministries, departments, agencies

The committee is Chaired by the Executive Chairman of the KADIRS with the Board Secretary/Legal advisor of the Service serving as joint committee
Secretary.

Inaugurating the committee, the Executive Chairman of the KADIRS, Mr Jerry Adams, said the joint revenue committees is in alignment with the provisions set in sections 47 and 48 of the Kaduna State Codification and Consolidation Tax Law of 2020.

He said the law underscored the critical importance of
collaboration and coordination in revenue generation efforts in achieving shared
objectives.

Adams lamented that Kaduna state, like many others, faced fiscal pressures and demands for increased investment in
critical infrastructure, social services, and economic empowerment initiatives.

In meeting the demands, he said it required a robust and innovative approach to revenue mobilisation, which is built on
collaboration, transparency, and efficiency.

The Executive Chairman therefore said the establishment of the joint revenue committee marked a significant
milestone in service ongoing efforts to strengthen revenue mobilisation and drive sustainable
development across communities.

He stressed that through harnessing the collective expertise, resources, and
commitment of all stakeholders, KADIRS could overcome the challenges that lie ahead and unlock new
opportunities for growth and prosperity.

Adams harps on the importance of the members of the joint revenue
committee, stressing that their expertise and leadership would be instrumental in guiding the state’s collective efforts
towards the realisation of revenue targets.

“The joint committee will work strictly according to the dictates of the law and will serve as a focal point for strategic planning, policy formulation, and coordination of revenue
generation activities across the state.

“They will play a pivotal role in providing guidance and oversight within their respective domains, ensuring that our revenue generation activities are
aligned with the specific needs and priorities of each sector.

“Their inclusion reflects our commitment to
fostering collaboration and cooperation across all levels of government, as we strive towards our
shared goal of advancing the economic prosperity of Kaduna State,”Adams said.

He urged the committee members to live above board and avoid
indulging themselves in acts of wrong doing.

He also urged the citizens to be tax compliant in order to reap its benefits, while restating the KADIRS committment in tackling tax leakages and punishing officials operating outside the law.

Also, the Legal Adviser and Secretary of KADIRS, Barr. Aisha Muhammad, said the committee shall attend to and present
a report at the state joint revenue committee
quarterly in any year.

She added that the revenue committee shall be autonomous of
the council treasury and shall be responsible for the day-to-day administration of the Local Government
Revenue or personnel which form its assessment
team in liaison with the Service.

Also speaking the Special Adviser to Governor Uba Sani on Economic Matters, Malam Ibrahim Muhammad, said the state has all the potentials to even generate more than the N120 billion naira revenue target set by the Governor.

He lamented that at about first quarter of the year, the KADIRS was behind target compared to the previous year.

He therefore urged the committee members and all other stakeholders to work hard and be committed to the realisation of the set target.

Earlier giving a remark, the state’s Commissioner, Planning and Budget Commission, Mr Mukthar Ahmed, said large chunk of the informal sector are at the grassroot level.

Ahmed, who was a former Executive Chairman of the KADIRS, added that alot of revenue at the grassroot were largely untapped.

He described the KADIRS as the heart of the state, while calling on the committee officials to be God-fearing, adding that they would account for their actions in the hereafter.

Ahmed urged the KADIRS to be very observant and diligent in carrying out their task, while lamenting that agents and other stakeholders in tax collection are easily compromised.(NAN)