The outgoing Chairman of Kaduna North Local Government Area, Mukhtar Baloni, has emphasized the importance of improving Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) for the success of his successor in office. Speaking at an end-of-tenure presentation titled “Achievements, Challenges, and Recommendations” held at the council secretariat, Baloni pointed out that IGR is critical in supplementing the shortfalls that often arise when the Federal Allocation Committee (FAC) does not provide sufficient funds for local government projects.
He expressed concern over the current revenue administration framework in Kaduna State, criticizing the dominance of the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS) in local government tax matters. According to him, the tax law allowing KADIRS to appoint both the chairperson and secretary of a local government revenue committee needs to be reviewed to give local councils more control over their tax administration.
Baloni pointed out that the arbitrary suspension of Kaduna North’s Revenue Committee earlier in the year contributed to a significant drop in revenue performance. He stressed the need for his successor to prioritize revenue generation, as it is essential for providing community services such as repairing transformers and other basic needs.
To improve efficiency, Baloni recommended holding an annual revenue summit to evaluate and make necessary changes to the local government revenue system. Reflecting on his three-year tenure, he noted that his administration managed to increase IGR, which helped support other government funds and allowed the council to carry out meaningful projects without incurring liabilities.
He also mentioned that the sale and lease of assets during his tenure were conducted in accordance with the guidelines of the Kaduna State Public Procurement Authority (KADPPA) to fund capital projects and settle contractual obligations. He advised the Ministry of Local Government to create a strong framework for leasing local government assets to ensure clear regulations moving forward.
