Kano improves IGR to N40bn in 2016 – Ganduje

The Kano state governor, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has said the state’s internally generated revenue base had improved from N15bn in 2015 to N40.3bn in 2016, saying “My administration has introduced a new tax regime with the aim of lending credence to the Internally Generated Revenue to reduce the state’s overdependence on oil revenue which had been accruing to the coffers of the state in a way that it was inadequate to cater for government’s pressing needs.”

Speaking at the Summit, Ganduje said the essence of holding the 2nd Economic and Investment Summit was to generate perspectives, best practices and strategies that would showcase the various investment opportunities in Kano state.

“We want to convince the outside world that the climate of foreign investment in Kano was strong enough to ginger their confidence that the safety of their investment can be guaranteed here,” he assured.

Ganduje said the summit tagged as “Transforming the economy of Kano: turning challenges into opportunities” was indeed in tune with the present administration’s efforts for diversifying the economy of the state.

In his speech, former Minister of Budget and Planning, Dr Shamsudden Usman has said that Kano state is safe and conducive for investors to conduct their businesses.

Dr Usman, who is the chairman technical committee of the 2nd Kano Economic and Investment Summit made the disclosure yesterday at the opening ceremony of the summit.

He assured that all the presumed barriers for running effective business in Kano have been addressed, hence, indigenous and foreign investors could invest in the state.

Meanwhile, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Export Processing Zone Authority (NEPZA), Mr Emmanuel Jime has reiterated the authority’s commitment to resume business activities in Kano state.

Jime said the authority was mindful of the abundant business opportunities in the state, hence, would ensure that Kano free trade zone functions effectively.

He explained that NEPZA had discovered some lapses especially in power supply to the zone, a problem that hinders operation in the zone.

Photo: Kano Min. Information From left: Alhaji Umar Abdullahi; Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State; Minister of Interior, retired Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau; Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State; Former minister of Finance/Chairman Technical Committee...