Niger state Govt to block financial leakages to enable it raise funds for meaningful projects in the state.
The Niger State Government says its desire is to ensure that basic necessities of life are provided for the people of the State to raise their standards of living.
The Commissioner of Finance, Lawal Maikano stated this while briefing Journalists recently in his office.
The Commissioner Lawal Maikano disclosed that some of the basic necessities of life includes schools, portable drinking water, roads infrastructure, hospital amongst others,this he said can only be done through the judicious use of the state’s scarce resources.
He pointed out that, Governor Mohammed Umar Bago has already identified financial wastage and he is doing everything possible to take away those financial wastages in order to have enough funds to carry out capital projects which would impact positively on the lives of the people of the State.
Speaking on the measures the Government has put in place to block leakages, Lawal Maikano pointed out that a retreat has been organized by the Niger State Board of Internal Revenue Services for revenue harmonization process, adding that the law to that effect has been there and is already been signed into law by the immediate past administration, saying that the idea behind this is that all funds would pull in one resources so that the State would know it worth in terms of Internally generated revenue.
The Commissioner further said that, there would be introduction of Technology into the system so that all leakages are identified and closed, noting that Mr Governor has made it mandatory for every person must key into the harmonization process.
He said that a lot need to be done to improve on the state finances as well as improving the State’s expenditures.
The Commissioner also said the Ministry would abide by the provision of the budget, pointing out that the Ministry would work in tandem with Ministry of Budget and planning to ensure that all the expenditures of the State are in line with the provision for the betterment of the people of the State.
On the issue of ghost workers he said measures would be put in place to make sure that the menace off ghost workers is nip in the bud, saying that payroll, salaries and personal development is a key and most important aspect of the present administration, noting that Governor Mohammed Umar Bago is passionate about the welfare of the people.
On capacity development, the Commissioner said he would embark on massive transformation of the Ministry and by extension the members of staff of the Ministry in the shortest possible time commences training and retraining as well as motivation so that Ministry of Finance would be a model and centre of attraction.
The Commissioner then used the forum and appealed to the media to ensure that they give positive and right coverage on the activities of the State so that their reportage is in tandem with what is obtainable, assuring them that the Government of the day would work hand in hand with the media so as to achieve the set objectives.
