Governor Muhammed Bago made this statement at the 155th meeting of Joint Task Board (JTB) in Suleja, Niger State.
Governor of Niger State, Mohammed Bago, said his government recorded N3.5 billion from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) in May, 2024.
Bago louded his new tax reforms and the synergistic compliance of the state’s taxpayers, who he believed contributed to the achievement of what he described as Niger’s “collective goals”.
The governor made this statement at the 155th meeting of Joint Task Board (JTB) in Suleja, Niger State, where he and members of the board held a political discourse themed: “Post Reform: Repositioning Revenue Authorities for Effective and Efficient Tax Administration.”
Bago assured members of JTB and state stakeholders of his executive commitment to facilitating enough exchange of ideas and information between the board.
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growth has not only enabled us to expand infrastructure projects
According to the governor, this growth achieved through strategic tax reforms, has enabled Niger State to expand infrastructure projects.
“Between January and May this year, we collected an average of N2.621 billion monthly, as against an average of N1.806 billion monthly the previous year,” he said.
“In the month of May alone, we generated N3.508 billion, representing an increase of 45 per cent.
“This growth has not only enabled us to expand infrastructure projects but also, to enhance social service delivery across various sectors, thereby improving the quality of life for our citizens.
“This has resulted in improved compliance rates and enhanced revenue collection.”
Bago vows to fight challenges that may hinder progress of Tax collections
Bago said he also owed the progress to the innovative measures employed by the relevant authorities saddled with the responsibility for the state’s tax collections.
“We understand the importance of synergy in achieving our collective goals of improved tax administration and revenue optimisation.
“Together, we can explore innovative strategies, share best practices and address challenges that hinder our progress.”
Chairman of JTB, Dr Zacch Adedeji, commended governor Mohammed Bago for the new performance of the Niger State’s Internally Genetated Revenue (IGR) since the beginning of his administration.
Adedeji said: “Coming off the last seven months of 2023, a rejuvenated approach to revenue generation saw the state ending the year on a solid note with total annual IGR performance crossing the N20 billion mark for the first time in its history.”
“At N21.67 billion, collections achieved over 28 per cent growth over the total annual collection of N16.93 billion posted in 2022.
“Notably, the percentage growth rate was significantly higher than the cumulative sub-national growth rate of 23.17 per cent.
“The momentum was unrelenting, going into the new year with the N7.03 billion collected in the first quarter of 2024, as against the N6.18 billion in first quarter of 2023.
“We are proud of what the state is achieving under your watch, and we are confident that with diligent implementation of the innovation and relentless drive, a monthly IGR of N5 billion is realisable.
“We are committed to this at the JTB, and our presence here today is an ample testimony of our support,’’ he said.
“It is necessary to strengthen the fabric of our IGR capacity to ensure that the revenue administration processes, especially at the sub-national level, become as efficient as possible.
“This is to optimise the collection of IGR for socio-economic and human development,’’ Adedeji added.
