Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS) has launched two innovative tax platforms, in it’s bid to identify revenue potentials and block leakages, as major sources of revenue for the state have dried up, the Revenue Service Chairman, Mr Jerry Adams has said.
Speaking during the launch of ‘Project CRAFT,’ and the PAYKADUNA PORTAL on Friday, the KADIRS boss said, the initiatives were not just about technology, but transformative approach to governance, which will allow the state to leverage advanced data analytics and automation and enhance its capacity to generate revenue, curb leakages, and improve service delivery to the citizens.
According to him, “KADIRS in the last eight years made a lot of huge recoveries in the range of about N20 billion from back duty audits; N18 billion from non-tax revenues sources specially through the sale of government properties. Huge exchange gains of about N42 billions from foreign loans/grants was recorded to revenue as revenue and land allocation reforms through the creation of KADGIS.
“However, these sources have dried up, as over 80% of government-owned properties have been privatized, back duty recoveries have shrunk and Federal Government’s pronouncement of a parallel regime in FOREX has phased out exchange gains as revenue. Now faced with these challenges alongside the huge debt burden on the state, the importance of innovative and out-of-the-box ideas to identify revenue potentials, improve accountability, block leakages and expand the tax net-achieving both vertical and horizontal growth cannot be over-emphasized.
“This is the mindset that has birthed our reason for today’s gathering as we launch ‘Project CRAFT,’ and the PAYKADUNA PORTAL, initiatives that embodies the Governor Uba Sani administration’s commitment to pacesetting, innovation, accountability, and excellence in public service reform. This is a never-been-seen strategy for revenue administration and a huge investment to the state, we are proud to be leading this innovation in the state.
“Project CRAFT, which stands for Cross-systems for Revenue Administration and Fiscal Transparency, is an innovative project, marking the beginning of a new era in revenue generation and management for Kaduna state. This initiative is a key component of our broader vision to enhance the efficiency of the service and to ensure that every naira due to the state is duly collected and accounted for. The portal we unveil today is designed with both taxpayers and administrators in mind.
“One of the core features of Project CRAFT is the establishment of a Central Data Repository (CDR) within the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service. This repository will serve as the backbone of our new system, ensuring that all taxpayer and tax transaction data are exclusively owned and securely managed by the state. Through standard data convergence protocols, we will achieve a comprehensive and unified view of our revenue landscape, which is critical for informed decision-making and strategic planning.”
Speaking while launching the projects, Governor Uba Sani, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe, said Project CRAFT and the PAYKADUNA Portal reflect his administration’s dedication to fostering a culture of transparency and accountability. “The PAYKADUNA Portal stands at the heart of our technological advancements. It is more than just a tool; it is a cornerstone of our aggregate revenue administration and automation strategy. The portal offers a seamless and user-friendly experience for both taxpayers and administrators, ensuring that all transactions are efficient and transparent.”
