Gombe State Governor Sets Vision for Financial Independence
Rebecca Mu’azu, Gombe
The Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, is charting a course, envisioning a future where the state stands independent of national allocations while effectively meeting the needs of its people, underscoring a strategic shift towards reducing dependence on external funding sources.
Governor Yahaya reaffirmed this commitment during a recent meeting with the newly appointed Chairperson of the Gombe State Internal Revenue Service, Mrs. Aisha Adamu Yaro. He emphasised the importance of fostering self-sufficiency and upholding principles of probity and accountability within the state.
The governor expressed his confidence in the leadership of the Gombe State Internal Revenue Service under its new chairperson, offering unwavering support to ensure the fulfilment of its mandate.
He urged Mrs. Yaro to exceed expectations in her role, recognising the significance of her responsibilities in driving the state towards financial autonomy.
In response, Mrs. Yaro conveyed her appreciation to the governor for the trust placed in her, pledging to elevate revenue generation and enhance service delivery for the benefit of the state and its citizens.
Mrs. Yaro said so far the service had exceeded the 2023 target by a remarkable 15%, thereby generating an all-time highest Internally Generated Revenue of over 15 billion Naira for the state.
“With the support we received from His Excellency and the political will, the service has raised the bar for revenue generation; we have set up an ambitious target of 22 billion Naira for the year 2024 – a significant 100% increase from the previous target,” she said.
Improved efficiency and accountability
Mrs. Yaro also promised that the service would intensify efforts around its core functions of tax assessment, collection, and remittance to the government, through the deployment of modern technology for more efficiency and accountability, while bolstering revenue generation despite the national economic challenges.
According to the Chairperson of the Gombe State Internal Revenue Service, tax revenue plays a crucial role in supporting vital development projects and controlling externalities, citing how effective revenue collections in other states can help improve the IGR for financial independence and liberation.
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The chairperson expressed her readiness to partner with home-based media outfits in the area of public education, recognizing the critical role of the media in public education and awareness.
“We aim to work hand-in-hand with the media to educate the public about the importance of taxation and its role in funding essential public services,” she said.
Tax mismanagement
Mrs. Yaro acknowledged public concerns regarding potential tax mismanagement but assured the residents that Gombe State Internal Revenue Service was committed to absolute transparency, in line with Governor Yahaya’s policies and reforms.
The chairperson also unveiled plans to facilitate a seamless tax collection process, with a focus on accountability, including offering online tax payment options and establishing more tax offices throughout the state.
“To bolster trust and efficiency, we plan to leverage modern technology for enhanced revenue collection,” she announced.
While recognizing the importance of comprehensive data for effective revenue collection, she said the revenue service planned to conduct taxpayer enumeration and public education, through media engagement and collaboration.
“Our goal is to project Gombe as a leader in tax collection in the Northeast Sub-region,” she stated.
She called on the residents of Gombe State to embrace responsible citizenship and pay their taxes voluntarily to reciprocate government gestures in providing social amenities and services for the development of the state.
