From Olukayode Idowu, Maiduguri
Borno State Internal Generated Revenue (IGR) has hit an all time high of N6.7 billion despite Boko Haram insurgency and the lockdown brought about by COVID-19 pandemic, the State Commissioner for Finance, Adamu Lawan said on Friday.
The Commissioner said the state is not relaxed yet and is targeting to hit the N10 billion yearly IGR in the next one year of Governor Babagana Zulum’s administration.
Addressing a press conference as part of activities marking the celebration of the first year anniversary of Prof. Babagana Zulum’s government in Borno State, Adamu said the State’s Board of Internal Revenue Service had reached 85 percent coverage in terms of administering taxes from all the non governmental organisations ( NGOs ) in the State.
He said within the period, the Board was able to identify a large number of NGOs that were not on the tax roll, noting that this greatly increased revenue generation of the State.
Lawan: “The Board in its efforts to ease transportation problems has purchased additional 13 utility vehicles in types of Toyota Camry LE , Corola LE , and Hilux to strengthen tax administration system towards achieving optimum revenue generation of the State.”
He said the State government was able to pay gratuity amounting to N1.54 billion in two batches to 2,557 retirees .
The Commissioner added that the State also made payment of outstanding pension arrears of 640 pensioners who were owed arrears of pension ranging from 47 months to 15 months with total amount of òver N463 million, saying that additional approval for 438 pensioners is being processed for those with outstanding pensions of 14 months down.
Lawan said in an effort to achieve enhanced public finance management, the State government has commenced the adoption of the computerisation of the accounting system in collaboration with the World Bank and the European Union through the development of the Odoo Oracle Software .
He also disclosed that: “The State has commenced the gradual implementation of the Treasury Single Account (TSA), with the first step of State Single Treasury Revenue Account.”