By Mustapha Gambo Muhammad
The Jigawa Joint Revenue Committee has organized a comprehensive training session in Kano aimed at building the capacity of local government chairmen across the state.
The training which focused on tax reform implementation and revenue mobilization, brought together key stakeholders under the leadership of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON).
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Local Government, Alhaji Ibrahim Garba Hannun Giwa, represented by Ismail Yusuf, Director of Local Government Inspection emphasized the importance of the training.
He stated, “It is part of the mandates of the State LGA and federal government to sensitize public on tax reforms policies to assist the proper implementation of the policy. We invited the chairmen of the LGAs under the leadership of ALGON. We are here to train on how this policies would be implemented to avoid any hitch or any kind of limitations during implementation.”
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He further noted that “if you have a proper collection of revenue you block leakages and the new system will provide proper record on where the money come and how it should be recorded and to help in the revenue analysis and performance.”
He added that “no doubt the performance of local markets revenue boost revenue allocation.”
Dr. Sibu Abdullahi, Chairman of Dutse LGA and ALGON Chairman in Jigawa State, highlighted the strategic importance of the training. “We are here in Kano to deliberate and discuss on the new tax reforms in the country and the call and enhancing for revenue mobilisation in Jigawa State,” he said.
He explained that the training was part of a series of workshops aimed at “fine-tuning modalities how we can domesticate the new act into our various LGAs in Jigawa State.”
Dr. Abdullahi lauded the commitment of Governor Mallam Umar Namadi, stating, “I know with the level of commitment of Jigawa State Governor Mallam Umar Namadi, there’s no LGA in Jigawa State that when it comes to disbursement need government intervention.”
He also acknowledged the impact of the sensitization efforts, noting that “in the last 30 years there are a lot of local markets that don’t remit revenues, but with the sensitization and mobilisation across 27 LGAs people are reawakening and pay what is expected for them.”
He stressed the importance of monthly remittances: “What is expected from us after this training is to ensure that at end of every month, the LGA remittance based on the mobilisation will see their own share at end of the month.”
Dr. Nasir Sabo Idris, Executive Chairman of the Jigawa Internal Revenue Service, also addressed the gathering. He explained that the training was designed to sensitize the Joint Revenue Committee on the newly introduced National Tax Act and the use of electronic payment systems. “Recently we introduced a payment platform namely the Jigawa Tax Administration System,” he said.
Dr. Idris added, “This meeting will bring about more understanding, it will enhance knowledge and understanding to confront the challenges of the introduction of newly tax reforms in the country.”
He expressed confidence that “each LGA in Jigawa will be fully prepared to implement policy introduced newly tax reforms policies.”
He emphasized the importance of cascading the training: “Members will be familiar with the newly electronic payment system introduced. They will go back and step down the training to their members and the LGA council in order to efficiently operate the system. Although after this training the LGA chairmen will do same for revenue officers, treasurers as well.”
He noted that the training marks a significant step in Jigawa State’s efforts to modernize its revenue collection processes and align with national tax reform initiatives.
