Gov Bala Mohammed Vows To Boost IGR For Rapid Development
BY ADEYEMI AKANJI, BAUCHI – The Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed has declared that the state will boost its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) base from N200 million to at least N1 billion monthly as part of efforts to enhance rapid development in all sectors of the State.
The Governor, who spoke at a media chat on Saturday to mark his one year in office, said strategies have already been put in place to achieve this dream.
According to him, work is in progress for Bauchi to join the league of States in the country that are doing so much to improve their revenue status towards engendering socio-economic growth and development.
He said; “The only way to ensure rapid development of our state is to raise our IGR because it is so low. We don’t have to rely on Federal Allocation because it is no longer enough due to dwindling economy. Right now, we have concluded arrangements to procure a consultant to help us as we don’t want to burden other sectors”
Governor Mohammed further said; “The Coronavirus pandemic has slowed down everything globally. We have conquered Coronavirus and even the WHO have said that we will have to live with the virus. We have been singled out as one of the state that has done so much in the fight against COVID-19. We are the epic center, starting with me, for everybody to see and know that the Coronavirus is not joking. Out of the 235 index case, only 22 are on admission in the state”
“So far, we have achieved so much during the first year, we are doing a very robust cash flow, management of resources and freeing resources where they are locked up by corruption, ineptitude and inefficiency. We are deepening and reinvigorating the bureaucracy in such a manner that will look inwards and provide good and services within our limited resources”, he added.
Bala Mohammed also said; “Where we cannot rescue our resources, we will go to the EFCC or ICPC and get our money back. Even previous projects that were done in the previous administration like the Soro Miya road. We are not going to let go of the money that Bauchi state have,we must get it back. So we are working hard, but quietly. We don’t want over exposure”.
The Governor assured that his administration will be financially prudent in its spending, adding that the cash flow for now is very tight as the government pledged to be paying the sum of N300 million every month for gratuities and pensions.
He however regretted that sometimes the State government has had to pay less because there are other statutory financial commitments to meet monthly.
