The Kogi State Government has inaugurated a six-member task force on revenue generation drive to strengthen revenue administration, eliminate leakages and improve compliance with government regulations across the state.
The Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mr Mohammed Shaibu inaugurated the committee on Friday in Lokoja.
Shaibu described the initiative as a strategic step towards strengthening the ministry’s operations, promoting accountability and ensuring effective implementation of government policies and programmes.
According to the Commissioner, the task force is mandated to identify and eliminate revenue leakages, enforce compliance with statutory fees, licences and business permits.
“They are to monitor revenue collection processes, investigate illegal revenue practices, verify registered businesses, sensitise business owners on their statutory obligations.
“Curb the use of fake regulatory documents and recommend measures to strengthen revenue administration and improve internally generated revenue in the state.”
Shaibu said the inauguration of the committee marks a new chapter to the impact of the ministry and Kogi at large, to generate revenue and boost revenue generation.
He further emphasised that the committee is not set up to intimidate business owners but to put an end to abnormalities.
In her address, Mrs Sualihat Musa-Amana, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry said the task force was constituted to undertake an important assignment in line with the ministry’s mandate, urging members to discharge their responsibilities with dedication, professionalism, fairness and a strong sense of responsibility.
She said members were selected based on their competence, integrity and wealth of experience, expressing confidence that they would justify the trust reposed in them.
According to her, the success of the committee will not only enhance the ministry’s performance but also reinforce public confidence in the government’s commitment to transparency, accountability and efficient service delivery.
She commended the Commissioner for providing the leadership and support that made the initiative possible.
Earlier, the Director of Commerce, Mr Michael Ejeh, presented the terms of reference of the task force which include to identify and eliminate revenue leakages, investigate illegal or unauthorized revenue collection and ensure that all government revenues were properly assessed, receipted and remitted in accordance with extant financial regulations.
The task force would also monitor compliance with statutory fees, licences, permits and other revenue obligations, while ensuring that business owners registered for and renewed their Business Premises Permits and other required licences.
According to him, the committee will also conduct routine inspections to identify unregistered businesses and defaulters, sensitise business owners on their statutory obligations and curb the circulation of fake business registration certificates, permits and other regulatory documents.
Ejeh said the task force would collaborate with law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders to investigate and facilitate the prosecution of individuals or organisations involved in document forgery and other revenue-related offences.
The task force is chaired by Mr Tijani Hassan while Usman Ayinoko will serve as Secretary.
Other members are Mr Musa Mohammed, Mr Ibrahim Usman, Mr Musa Iliyasu and Mr Zakari Asheru.
Present at the inauguration were the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Commerce and Industry, Mr Shuaib Orijo; the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Entrepreneurship I, Mrs Khadijat Siyak; and the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Entrepreneurship II, Mrs Munirat Ibrahim.
