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| Revenue Streams Depleted, Says Kaduna Government |
The head of KADIRS mentioned that this initiative is a central element of a wider plan to improve service efficiency and guarantee full collection and accounting of the state's rightful revenue.
The Chairman of the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS), Mr. Jerry Adams, has announced that the state's primary revenue streams have depleted, necessitating innovative solutions to uncover revenue opportunities and seal leakages.
At the unveiling of 'Project CRAFT' and the PAYKADUNA PORTAL, the chairman highlighted that these projects are more than technological advancements; they represent a transformative shift in governance.
He detailed how this strategy would enable the state to utilize sophisticated data analytics and automation to boost revenue generation, prevent leakages, and enhance services provided to residents.
Mr. Adams noted that in the past 8 years, KADIRS has achieved substantial recoveries, including an estimated N20 billion from back duty audits, N18 billion from non-tax revenue (primarily from selling government assets), around N42 billion in exchange gains from foreign loans/grants recorded as income, and land allocation improvements via the establishment of KADGIS.
Yet, these revenue sources have waned due to the privatization of most government properties, reduced back duty recoveries, and a new FOREX policy by the Federal Government eliminating exchange gains as a revenue source.
"Confronted with these obstacles and the state's significant debt, the need for creative, unconventional ideas to discover revenue potentials, bolster accountability, prevent leakages, and broaden the tax base—achieving both vertical and horizontal expansion—is critical," he asserted.
He further stated that the launch of 'Project CRAFT' and the 'PAYKADUNA PORTAL' is a testament to Governor Uba Sani's administration's pledge to lead with innovation, accountability, and excellence in public service reform.
Describing it as a novel approach to revenue management and a major investment for the state, he said Project CRAFT, an acronym for Cross-systems for Revenue Administration and Fiscal Transparency, signals a new chapter in revenue management for Kaduna State.
The head of KADIRS mentioned that this initiative is a central element of a wider plan to improve service efficiency and guarantee full collection and accounting of the state's rightful revenue.
During the project launches, Governor Uba Sani, represented by Deputy Governor Dr. Hadiza Balarabe, expressed that Project CRAFT and the PAYKADUNA Portal demonstrate his government's commitment to promoting transparency and accountability.
"In a time where technology propels advancement, we are dedicated to adopting state-of-the-art solutions to refine governance and service provision," he declared.
The governor instructed all leaders of revenue-generating bodies to adopt these innovative tools, emphasizing that, "It's essential for all state Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to quickly integrate into this system and support the Kaduna Internal Revenue Service in achieving an effective and smooth revenue collection operation."
