Kano inaugurates revenue committee, plans tax increase on agric produce

Concerned by the prevailing dwindling revenue, the Kano State Government has inaugurated two separate committees to chart a new course toward improving the collection and generation of revenue in the state.

The two committees are the Special Task Force for Registration/Profiling of Commercial Vehicle Operators and an Ad-hoc Committee to Streamline the Collection of Revenue from Onions, Tomatoes, and other Agricultural Produce.

The committees are entrusted with the responsibility of proffering workable recommendations to the government toward boosting the IGR.

Inaugurating members of the task force, Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Abdullahi Baffa Bichi, who performed the duty at the cabinet office on behalf of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, said Kano has the potential to conveniently meet its financial obligations instead of depending on FAAC.

Dr. Bichi expressed concern that smaller states generate multiple revenues higher than Kano despite its population and commercial status in the North, adding that it has become imperative to look inward for alternative sources of revenue for sustainable development.

The SSG believes Kano is naturally endowed with fertile land, and the government would capitalise on the comparative advantage to improve the lives of the people.

He said that the produce from farming seasons is transported to other parts of the country and beyond in large quantities, which, if well managed, are capable of boosting the state’s economy.

He said, “We should also take our population size to our advantage where there are vehicular movements which can also generate more income through a well-coordinated transportation system.

“The Special Task Force for Registration/Profiling of Commercial Vehicle Operators in the state has nine members, with the Honourable Commissioner for Transport, Alhaji Ibrahim Muhammad Diggol, as the chairman, and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Transportation, as the secretary.

“The Ad-hoc Committee to Streamline the Collection of Revenue from Onions, Tomatoes, and Agricultural Produce across the state has Professor Ibrahim Magaji Barde, Special Adviser (IGR), and Aminu Ibrahim, Undersecretary, Research Evaluation and Political Affairs (REPA), Cabinet Office, as chairman and secretary, respectively.”

Responding on behalf of the members of both committees, the Commissioner of Transport, Hon. Ibrahim Muhammad Diggol, expressed appreciation to Governor Yusuf for finding them worthy of the exercise.

Hon. Diggol affirmed that the issue of wasted and untapped revenue had been a source of concern to many economic experts across the state, adding that all efforts henceforth will be geared toward turning around the fortunes and revenue management of the state.