Since the short fall in crude oil sale began to send a stronger message of the reality of financial downturn to state governors, Kano State governor, Abdullahi Ganduje hurriedly inaugurated a financial think tank to ensure significant increase in internal revenue generation. For some Kano citizens who bought the governor’s idea, it was about creating a reliable financial stronghold for tax payers money to be used judiciously. This is a step in the right direction and must be given full support if only they expect to see infrastructural developments around them.
Practically, this singular proactive step by the Ganduje administration is probably paying off. Most significantly is what is obtainable in the 2016 Budget. The people of the State, better now described as repentant tax payers, are to immensely contribute in accruing almost half of the budget appropriation. In fact, the budgetary provision of over N274 billion in the budget is to be realized through sustained monthly federal grant and internal revenue generation which is currently in short supply.
The drum beater for the tax paying dance, Governor Ganduje introduced a magic formula of hiring the services of world class revenue generation firms to among other things reassess the revenue generation method of the past, account for the tentative tax payers money and, above all, discover untapped revenue sources. It seemed, governor Ganduje has strong conviction in what was tabled before him by the hired revenue firms.
His vehemence in explaining how the 2016 budget performance was going to change the state’s fortune and his assenting to the budget passed by the speaker of the State House of Assembly last week attest to how confident he was about this year’s fiscal plan for the state. The drum for tax payers to dance to the tune has been loud and clear to all ears like never before in the state. Governor Ganduje hired nine private consulting firm with professionalism in tax collection to assist in realizing the funds for effective implementation of the 2016 budget. And this is only possible when expectations are met.
Besides that, the state governor has reiterated at various occasions the focus of his government in his first year in office. He said his administration will invest hugely in improving agriculture. This investment, he said, will in turn produce self-sustained citizens for significant increase in revenue generation from the expected boom in the agriculture open market.
The quest for diversified economy that is capable of turning around the industrial fortune of the state would be guaranteed with the completion of the multi billion naira Independent Power Project (IPP) in Tiga and Challawa dams. The little of the power generated from the two projects will spring up most importantly large scale industries around Sharada industrial area, Phase 1, 2, 3 of Bompai, Challawa, Dakata and small scale industries located at various designated areas.
Commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba gave the breakdown of what is contained in the 2016 budget proposal to the tune of over N274,824, 600,378. According to him the performance of the budget relies heavily on the support and cooperation of the employers for the government in paying taxes as well as continuous prayers.
The commissioner was optimistic that more than half of the 2016 budget appropriation fund would be made possible if citizens answer to the clarion call of the state governor for increase in Internal Revenue Generation.mhe said this is possible when people pay taxes diligently and as at when due, investment in improved agriculture for GDP growth and increase in revenue generation. Quoting the State governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, he said, “Its no longer a fashion for any State to rely heavily on monthly allocation from the federal government to fulfill on campaign promises”.
Worthy of note is the expectations that with the current dwindling federal allocation which is less than N5 billion, while IGR stands at an average N5 billion monthly, close to a half of the total sum of the 2016 budget appropriation of over N274 billion is certain here. Amazingly, the State Executive Council has commenced implementation of the projects contain in the 2016 budget, making it the first state among all the 36 states to begin implementation of the 2016 budget. The last Executive Council made the approval of capital projects worth over N7 Billion or little less.
Upon the request for the approval of disbursements of N402,784,620.21 million for the construction of Janguza/Karaye road project that cut across the six local government areas in the State, the state executive council government made the approval unanimously. This particular road project has seven bridges and would benefit Karaye, Tofa, Kabo, and Rimin Gado and Rogo. The road network, upon completion, will provide second road network from Kano to Kaduna.
Other road projects approved by the State executive Council was the rehabilitation and asphalt overlay of Burumburum, Kibiya, Rano and Karfi road, covering 68 kilometers to the tune of N2. 189, 503, 588.11. The benefitting communities are Tudun Wada, kibiya, Rano, Bunkure and Kura local governments areas. Another approval was also granted to the tune of N1.351,763,456.74 for the construction and rehabilitation of Tiga, Rurum road, covering 36 kilometers. This road will benefit Tiga, Rurum, Bebeji, Rano, local government areas respectively.
Metropolitan roads approved by the state executive council to be constructed, reconstructed and or rehabilitated are Maiduguri (Mobile Police Barrack) to CBN quarters and to Zaria road, to the tune of N713, 682, 997.29. The benefitting communities include some part of Maiduguri, CBN quarters and Zaria road areas respectively.
There is also the rehabilitation and asphalt overlay of Kwanar Zira-Zaura to Dungurawa road. The road network covering 23 kilometers could cost the state N679, 649, 455. 14. The benefitting community is largely Dungurawa area. Sokoto-Marhaba road around Kano Government House areas, known to be in deplorable condition for sometime received the government approval of N18, 902, 511. 60 for rehabilitation. Besides, another contract was awarded for the rehabilitation of CBN quarters, Kundila to Maiduguri road to the tune of N119, 376, 691. 13.
At the same executive council meeting, an approval was granted for the construction of reinforced box culvert on Dogon Kawo to Ruwan Tabo roads, amounting to N29, 141, 482. 86. Similarly, Farm Center-Marhaba road was approved for reconstruction to the total sum of N69, 610, 568. 34. These three roads, according to the state commissioner for information, Malam Muhammad Garba would benefit all movements around Kano Government House. Approval was also granted for the dualisation of Gidan boss to Katsina road in Fagge, Fagge local government area, with the contract sum of N89, 496, 547.88. The contract for the reconstruction of Abdullahi Bayero road of about 1 kilometer was approved, amounting to N143, 727, 814.00.
A lot has to be done to achieve the set objectives of not only road construction, but to also turn the state into a mega city, as well as a business and industrial hub of the region. For the first time, the people of Kano and indeed the entire country are bound to witness a budget largely being funded by the tax Payers money. Keen observers say they are waiting to see how this would unfold into a pleasant reality.
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