Kogi Govt Inaugurates 6-man Task Force, Plans To Plug Revenue Leakages, Sanitize Business Registration‎

Kogi Govt Inaugurates 6-man Task Force, Plans To Plug Revenue Leakages, Sanitize Business Registration‎

By

Taiye Bayode

‎In Kogi’s continued bid to strengthen internally generated revenue and entrench transparency and accountability in public revenue administration, the State Government, through the Ministry of Commerce and Industry has inaugurated a 6-man Task Force on Revenue Generation Drive, a move aimed at strengthening the Ministry's revenue collection system, curb leakages, and ensure compliance with statutory business registration requirements across the state.

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‎The Task Force, comprising representatives from the Ministry and the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KGIRS), was formally inaugurated by the Honourable Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Alh. Muhammed Muktar Shuaibu, at an impactful ceremony held at the State Secretariat. 

The Commissioner who described the exercise as marking the beginning of a new revenue drive for the Ministry, noted that the Ministry of Commerce and Industry remains a critical engine room for revenue generation in any state, stating that the collaboration between the Ministry and the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service was one that could not be underestimated, expressing confidence in the members selected for the assignment based on their track records. 

While Hon. Shuaibu clarified that the Task Force was not set up to witch-hunt anyone, but to correct anomalies, sensitize the business community, and work with stakeholders to reposition the state's revenue architecture, he also added that the initiative aligns with the broader commitment of the administration of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo to strengthen internally generated revenue for the development of infrastructure and improved living standards across the state

‎Permanent Secretary, Hajiya Musa-Amana Sualihat, on her welcome address described the inauguration as another strategic step in the Ministry's collective commitment to strengthening its operations, promoting accountability, and ensuring effective implementation of government policies, reiterating that members of the Task Force were carefully selected based on their competence, integrity, and wealth of experience, urging them to approach the assignment with dedication, professionalism, and a strong sense of responsibility. 

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‎She further called on staff of the Ministry to be generous in giving the Task Force any information at their disposal to aid the discharge of its duties, and commended the Honourable Commissioner and His Excellency, Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo for the visionary leadership that made the initiative possible.

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Earlier, Director of Administration, Mr Ejeh Michael ‎spoke on the Terms of Reference guiding the Task Force's operations, stating that among the sixteen-point mandate, the Task Force is charged with identifying and eliminating revenue leakages within the Ministry's collection system, investigate  illegal or unauthorised collection of government revenue, ensure proper assessment, collect and remit all revenues due to government, monitor compliance with statutory fees, licences, and permits administered by the Ministry. 

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‎The Task Force which is mandated to ensure eligible business owners register and renew their business premises permits, were to also conduct routine field inspections and compliance checks, sensitize business owners on their statutory obligations, and curb the circulation of fake or fraudulently obtained business registration documents. 

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‎Furthermore, the members were to collaborate with relevant agencies and law enforcement where necessary, maintain proper records of its activities, oversee revenue collection from designated government establishments including the Muhammad Buhari Civic Centre and the New Nigeria Timber Company Okura Sawmill, and submit periodic reports to the Permanent Secretary on its activities and recommendations.

‎The six-man Task Force comprises Mr Tijani Hassan as Chairman, Alhaji Usman Titi Ayinoko as Secretary, and Mr Musa Ozovihe Iliyasu, Mr Ibrahim Usman, Mr Musa Mohammed, and Mr Zakari Yusuf Shiru as Members.

‎Also present at the event were the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Commerce, Hon. Shuaib Abdullahi Orijo, and the Senior Special Assistants to the Governor on Entrepreneurship, Hon. Khadijat Obaro-Siyaka and Hon. Munirat Ibrahim, who commended the Ministry's leadership and expressed confidence in the Task Force's ability to deliver on its mandate.

‎Giving a vote of thanks on behalf of the Task Force, Mr Tijani Hassan, appreciated the Ministry's management for the confidence reposed in the committee and pledged that members would give their best towards achieving the desired objectives of the assignment.