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NYCSO Expresses Concern Over Yobe State’s Low IGR; Calls for Improved Fiscal Discipline

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NYCSO Expresses Concern Over Yobe State’s Low IGR; Calls for Improved Fiscal Discipline

By: Our Reporter

The Network of Yobe Civil Society Organizations (NYCSO) is deeply concerned about the persistently low Internally Generated Reveoqnue (IGR) performance of the Government of Yobe State, despite commendable efforts by the administration of His Excellency Hon Mai Mala Buni to enact laws aimed at prudent resource management and fiscal stability, NYCSO recognizes the importance of transparency and accountability in the Public Finance Management (PFM) sector and applauds the government’s commitment to these principles.

However, the recent fiscal performance report, ranking Yobe State as the 32nd state in the country in 2023, raises significant alarms NYCSO attributes this ranking to the state’s low IGR, coupled with a skyrocketing domestic debt profile. Despite a slight increase in IGR compared to 2022, the non-operationalization of the Yobe State Internal Revenue Law, assented to by His Excellency since 2021, remains a critical setback to effective and efficient revenue generation. The lack of a substantive leadership for the Yobe State Internal Revenue Service coupled with the absence of an Executive Order for enforcement of the law by the IRS has contributed significantly to the current fiscal instability of the state. The capital budget performance of some key service delivery MDAs as at Q3 is equally abysmal and contradictory with His Excellency’s policy statements for the 2023 fiscal year budget proposals.

In light of these concerns, NYCSO urges the State Government to take immediate action on the following key issues:

  1. Grant the Yobe State Internal Revenue Service an Executive Order to implement the Revenue Law effectively, thereby enhancing the collection and remittance of all revenues in line with the provisions of the State Revenue Law 2021 (as amended).
  2. Direct all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to be intentional about improving revenue generation. Cooperation with the Internal Revenue Service is also essential for the successful discharge of its statutory mandate, as provided by the law.
  3. Appoint a substantive Chairman for the Yobe State Internal Revenue Service in accordance with the provisions of the Law to ensure stable leadership that will drive effective revenue generation initiatives.
  4. NYCSO calls on the state government to sincerely implement the recommendations of the State Fiscal Responsibility reports of the previous years.
  5. The state government should also judiciously address all recommendations raised in the State Auditor General’s Reports for the previous years.

As a Coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), NYCSO pledges its commitment to supporting the government by actively engaging in sensitizing the general public to fulfill their tax obligations. The Network also recognizes the crucial role of citizens in contributing to the overall socio-economic development by cooperating with the policies and programs of the government.

Similarly, NYCSO calls on the State Government to consider the above recommendations as urgent and crucial for the socio-economic development of Yobe State. The Network remains hopeful that the government, as it has consistently demonstrated, will take prompt and decisive actions to address these concerns of her citizens,

The Network further appreciates the government’s understanding and anticipates positive actions that will contribute to the sustainable growth and development of our dear state.

NYCSO Expresses Concern Over Yobe State’s Low IGR; Calls for Improved Fiscal Discipline

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Troops repel kidnapping attempt on Makurdi–Kura road, driver killed in crossfire

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Troops repel kidnapping attempt on Makurdi–Kura road, driver killed in crossfire

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops have repelled an attempted kidnapping along the Makurdi–Kura road in Benue State, but a driver was killed during a crossfire between soldiers and suspected bandits on Wednesday evening.

Zagazola gathered that the incident occurred at about 6:30 p.m. when a group of engineers travelling from Kura to Makurdi encountered armed men who had blocked the road, intending to abduct passengers in a bus ahead of them.

According to a local source, soldiers on routine patrol were behind the engineers’ vehicle and immediately engaged the attackers in a gun duel, forcing the assailants to flee into the bush.

During the exchange of fire, Ochoche Otokolo Ekwu, the driver of the engineers’ vehicle, was hit by a stray bullet and died on the spot.

The source said the Divisional Police Officer of ‘D’ Division mobilised a patrol team alongside tactical units to the scene, where the corpse was evacuated and deposited at a mortuary in Makurdi.

The source added that security operatives are currently combing nearby bushes to track the fleeing suspects and prevent further attacks along the route.

Troops repel kidnapping attempt on Makurdi–Kura road, driver killed in crossfire

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Police Officer goes missing after signing out rifle in Katsina

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Police Officer goes missing after signing out rifle in Katsina

By: Zagazola Makama

A police officer has been declared missing in Katsina State after signing out a service rifle for duty and disappearing without a trace.

Zagazola gathered that the incident occurred on Nov. 23 when PC Ahmed Tukur attached to the Danmusa Division, reported for duty at about 6 p.m. and signed out an AK-47 rifle with breech number 13492 for standby duty.

Shortly after collecting the weapon, the officer left the station for an unknown location and has not been seen since.

A source told Zagazola that all efforts to contact him, including visits to his residence and reaching out to relatives, have yielded no clues about his whereabouts.

The source said the command has launched sustained efforts to trace the officer and recover the missing rifle, describing the situation as “a serious operational and security concern.”

Police Officer goes missing after signing out rifle in Katsina

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Community leaders’ engagement and intelligence gathering are key to the security situation. – Governor Bini

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Community leaders’ engagement and intelligence gathering are key to the security situation. – Governor Bini

By: Yahaya Wakili

Yobe State Governor Hon. Dr. Mai Mala Buni CON has said that the security challenges in the nation need to involve community leaders and individuals for intelligence gathering so as to cut off sources of illegal arms supply in the country.

He said by involving the community leaders and individuals for intelligence gathering, it will arrest the sponsors in order to restore peace and stability to Nigerians.

Governor Buni disclosed this today when he received members of the forest guards training and evaluation committee at the Government House, Damaturu.

Ably represented by his Deputy, Hon. Idi Barde Gubana (Wazirin Fune). He urged Nigerians to emulate the sacrifices made by our forefathers to end security challenges and build a better Nigeria.

The governor assured that recently the service chiefs have given assurance that they will do everything possible within their reach to bring to an end the current insecurity, especially in Northern Nigeria.

He informed the delegation that the Yobe state government has been working tirelessly to improve the security situation in the state.

Speaking earlier, the leader of the delegation, Major General H. I. Mabeokwu, told the governor that they were in Yobe State to brief the governor on the ongoing training of 865 forest guards in the state.

According to Major General Mabeokwu, the committee had earlier visited the Yobe state camp to monitor the ongoing training and inquired about the needs of the trainees and the standards set for the training.

“Your Excellency, we have made significant strides in not only training those forest guards but also raising their awareness about the importance of forest conservation.” Major General Mabeokwu said.

He commended the governor for his generosity in terms of welfare for the instructors and trainees as well as relocation and renovation of the training camp and facilities used to enhance the training.

The committee members comprise the Nigerian Army, Navy, DSS, NNSBS, and NPS across the security agencies.

Community leaders’ engagement and intelligence gathering are key to the security situation. – Governor Bini

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