Disturbed by the dwindling financial resources, Niger State government has set up a committee on Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to boost its revenue base.
Governor Abubakar Bello on Wednesday, inaugurated the 22-member committee headed by the Vice Chancellor of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University in Lapai, Professor Nasiru Maiturare, during the weekly State Executive Council Meeting at the Government House in Minna.
He explained that the committee was also saddled with the responsibility of reviewing the activities of the Niger State Revenue Board and proffering solution that will focus on strengthening it.
Governor Bello tasked the committee to come up with policies and identify issues related to the current procedures in the state internal revenue collection.
“It is no longer news to us that all the states in Nigeria and Federal Government can longer meet the financial obligation due to fall in crude oil, the fall does not mean we cannot live our lives.
“We have all opportunity in the state to live a comfortable life and work hard to improve our Internally Generated Revenue (IGR),” he said.
The Governor stressed that Niger State had the potentials and the capacities to generate at least three billion Naira instead of 400 million Naira, comparing the State with Kaduna State that generates two billion Naira.
He lamented that the state had ignored many leakages in the past and did not save for the rainy days and stressed that they had to borrow to augment and to pay three months salaries.
“That is not a way forward, because it will come to a stage that no one will want to borrow us money again,” he said.
In his remarks, Professor Maiturare said that the committee would make use of the opportunity to harness potentials that would make the state financially sustainable.
Governor Bello also set up a Committee on Sunti Golden Sugar Company, to liaise and establish a cordial relationship between the company and the host communities and ensure agreed compliance for peaceful coexistence.
The committees have been given six weeks to submit their reports and recommendations.
