Why Kano must boost revenue generation

No government with enough sense of responsibility can afford to ignore its fundamental duty of revenue generation through taxations and otherwise. This is because every government, invariably, needs the requisite financial capacity to provide security, welfare and development through the execution of its numerous projects and implementation of programmes.

Without doubt, all the governments in Nigeria have made the mistake of giving inadequate attention to taxation and other revenue generating sources since the beginning of the oil boom, a development which is now making it very difficult for many states to pay salaries.

In the absence of sufficient funds, even the most responsible government cannot accomplish its vision or satisfactorily measure up to the expectations of its peoples. In view of this, it is necessary for Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the governor of Kano State to launch a revenue generation drive with commendable vigour to overcome the current financial constraints.

But for the state to generate revenue, it should note that people are encouraged to pay taxes when the government shows prudence and strict financial discipline, if they are convinced that the process of collection and appropriation is transparent and if they trust that the money will be judiciously used in catering for their welfare and solving pressing societal ills. Citizens should also know that in as much as they want the government to perform well in the delivery of services, they have to play their part by paying taxes.