The Zamfara government says it recorded N358.9 billion in revenue in 2024, representing 82 per cent of the approved revenue estimation of N437 billion.

The auditor general, Abubakar Danmaliki, disclosed this in Gusau on Thursday while speaking at the presentation of the state’s Citizens Accountability Report for the year 2024.

Mr Danmaliki noted that the major sources of revenue were statutory allocation, value-added tax, internally generated revenue, and aids and grants.

“In the year under review, we saw a modest growth in VAT, federal allocations, and IGR. I must commend the effort of the present administration in the state under Gov Dauda Lawal for strengthening internal revenue administration, blocking leakages, and improving taxpayer education and compliance,” he said.

Finance commissioner Bello Auta said that the report presentation was the maiden edition. He disclosed that nominated projects by citizens amounted to N105 billion, adding that the projects were properly executed and completed across the state, including those nominated by Gender Equity and Social Inclusion.

Mr Auta noted that before the present administration, Zamfara grappled with non-retirement of advances, IGR spent at source when generated, and improper payment documentation.

“With accountability, transparency, and prudent management of resources by the present administration, the ugly trend has been properly addressed and now reversed. The 2024 Budget of the state, the ‘Budget of Consolidation and Continuity’, was passed on December 29, 2023, and Budget implementation commenced on January 1, 2024.

“The aggregate revenue performance for the year was 82 per cent of the budgeted N437 billion amounting to N358.9 billion for the year,” the commissioner explained.

He noted that the revenue received was below the budget by 18 per cent and  stood at N79 billion.

“The capital expenditure had a 55 per cent performance rate of the Budget of N292 billion, while the recurrent expenditure for personnel for the year was below the budget by 16 per cent,” he added.

According to him, the other recurrent expenditure was within the limit at 63 per cent. Mr Auta further said that the administrative sector expended the highest proportion of recurrent expenditure, representing 74 per cent.

“While the economic sector expended the highest proportion of capital expenditure at 41 per cent in the year. The top 10 value projects of the state for the year ended December 31, 2024, being the second year of the present administration, are nearing completion,” he said.

Governor Dauda Lawal said the event was in line with his administration’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and citizens’ participation in governance. The governor noted that governance was not a closed-door affair but a collective responsibility, where people must feel the impact of government policies and understand how public funds are being utilised.

(NAN)