Mukhtar Ahmed, the planning and budget commission commissioner in Kaduna, says the state can generate N150 billion in monthly revenues through improved tax compliance.
Mr Ahmed said this on Wednesday at a stakeholders’ engagement organised by the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service.
He said automation of the collection system, inter-agency collaboration and vigorous sensitisation were critical to achieving desired targets.
According to Mr Ahmed, tax compliance is a major issue in revenue generation in Kaduna.
“Look at all the beautiful houses in Kaduna and the businesses, we need to support the government by paying our taxes. There is a possibility where what is coming from the centre may dry up one day, and we are approaching a stage where people are becoming aware of needs on what they want the government to do for them.
“It has to do with partnership now between the citizens and the government where it can only work if the state has money, and where is that money?
“Government does not only come up to disclose amounts that are coming, even the one coming from the federal is just a budget, sometimes it doesn’t come depending on the situation,” he said.
Mr Ahmed said a stable internally generated revenue would make it easy for the state to work and support the citizens in paying their taxes.
The commissioner said the ministry focused on revenue-generating agencies and identified 13, each with a N1 billion monthly revenue target.
“We meet quarterly and sometimes before the quarter ends to see how we can work together to bring out programmes and address challenges to enable them to meet their targets,” Mr Ahmed said.
On tax laws, Mr Ahmed said the ground for revenue generation had been set in the company of competent officers ready to work with taxpayers to encourage compliance.
While urging revenue-generating agencies to minimise tax waivers, Mr Ahmed encouraged Kaduna residents to be more productive and engage in exports.
KADIRS’s executive director, Ali Gora, said the exercise was designed to educate the stakeholders on its operations and get their feedback. He said it also aims to expose the stakeholders to the importance of tax payment and share ideas on improving tax administration in Kaduna.
“We want the people to begin to understand the reason for voluntary compliance in tax payment,” he said.
(NAN)
