The Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS), Chairman, Mr. Jerry Adams, has stated that major sources of revenue for the state have dried up, hence the need for out-of-the-box innovations to identify revenue potential and block leakages.
During the launch of 'Project CRAFT' and the PAYKADUNA PORTAL in the state, the chairman emphasized that these initiatives were not just about technology but a transformative approach to governance.
He explained that this approach would allow the state to leverage advanced data analytics and automation to enhance its capacity to generate revenue, curb leakages, and improve service delivery to the citizens.
He said KADIRS, in the last 8 years, had made significant recoveries, including approximately N20 billion from back duty audits, N18 billion from non-tax revenue sources (especially through the sale of government properties), exchange gains of about N42 billion from foreign loans/grants recorded as revenue, and land allocation reforms through the creation of KADGIS.
"However, these sources have dried up due to the privatization of over 80% of government-owned properties, shrinking back duty recoveries, and the Federal Government's pronouncement of a parallel regime in FOREX which phased out exchange gains as revenue.
"Now faced with these challenges alongside the huge debt burden on the state, the importance of innovative and out-of-the-box ideas to identify revenue potentials, improve accountability, block leakages, and expand the tax net - achieving both vertical and horizontal growth - cannot be over-emphasized," he said.
He added that the launch of 'Project CRAFT' and the 'PAYKADUNA PORTAL' embodied the Governor Uba Sani administration's commitment to pacesetting, innovation, accountability, and excellence in public service reform.
Describing it as a unique strategy for revenue administration and a significant investment in the state, he stated that Project CRAFT, which stands for Cross-systems for Revenue Administration and Fiscal Transparency, marked the beginning of a new era in revenue generation and management for Kaduna State.
The KADIRS boss said the initiative is a key component of a broader vision to enhance the efficiency of the service and ensure that every naira due to the state is duly collected and accounted for.
While launching the projects, Governor Uba Sani, who was represented by his deputy, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe, said Project CRAFT and the PAYKADUNA Portal reflected his administration's dedication to fostering a culture of transparency and accountability.
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"In an era where technology drives progress, his administration is committed to leveraging cutting-edge solutions to improve governance and service delivery," he said.
The governor directed all heads of revenue-generating agencies to embrace the innovative tools, stating that, "It is imperative that all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies of the state promptly integrate into the platform and provide all needed support to Kaduna Internal Revenue Service to ensure a seamless and efficient revenue collection process."
