Governor Dikko Radda says it is time for Katsina to improve its internally generated revenue to service its debts, deliver services to the people and pay workers’ salaries without waiting for federal allocations. The governor directed the secretary to the state government to constitute a five-member committee to undertake a study tour of the top high-profile revenue-generating states in the country for Katsina to emulate.

In a statement issued by one of his aides, Isah Miqdad, the governor said this on Thursday in Katsina.

Mr Radda, who met with revenue-generating agencies in the state, said they must up their game in order to raise the state revenue profile.

“The state must improve its internally generated revenue at this critical time, especially since the state will soon start servicing its debts. My vision is for the state to generate revenue that can settle the salaries of workers without waiting for the monthly Federal Allocation,” he added.

In line with this vision, Mr Radda said he would restructure the state board of internal revenue to meet its revenue targets. The governor directed the revenue-generating agencies to prioritise the compelling need for more revenue for the state to ensure Katsina’s overall economic growth.

“Hence, the need to restructure the board to generate more revenue for the state becomes necessary. Lack of enforcement and the nonchalant attitude of some collection officers are some of the reasons for the low IGR for the state,” the Katsina governor stated.

(NAN)