The Zamfara Government says it recorded a total of N358.9 billion revenue in 2024, representing 82 per cent of the approved revenue estimation of N437 billion.
The State Auditor-General, Abubakar Danmaliki disclosed this in Gusau on Thursday while speaking at the presentation of the state’s Citizens Accountability Report for the year 2024.
Danmaliki noted that the major sources of the revenue was statutory allocation, Value Added Tax (VAT), Internally Generated Revenue ((IGR) as well as Aids and grants.
“In the year under review, we saw a modest growth in VAT, federal allocations and IGR.
“I must commend the effort of present administration in the state under Gov Dauda Lawal for strengthening internal revenue administration, blocking leakages and improving taxpayer education and compliance,” he said.
Earlier, the Commissioner of Finance, Bello Auta said that the report presentation was the maiden edition.
He disclosed that nominated projects by citizens amounted to N105 billion, adding that the projects were properly executed and completed across the state, including those nominated by GESI (Gender Equity and Social Inclusion).
Auta noted that before the present administration in the state, Zamfara grappled with non-retirement of advances, IGR spent at source when generated and improper payment documentations.
“With accountability, transparency and prudent management of resources by the present administration the ugly trend has been properly addressed and now reversed.
“The 2024 Budget of the state, the ‘Budget of Consolidation and Continuity’, was passed on Dec. 29, 2023 and Budget implementation commenced on Jan. 1, 2024.
“The aggregate revenue performance for the year was 82 per cent of the budgeted N437 billion amounting to N358.9 billion for the year,” the commissioner explained.
He noted that the revenue received was below the budget by 18 per cent and stood at N79 billion.
“The capital expenditure had 55 per cent performance rate of the Budget of N292 billion, while the recurrent expenditure for personnel for the year was below the budget by 16 per cent,” he added.
According to him, the other recurrent expenditure was within the limit at 63 per cent respectively.
Auta further said that the administrative sector expended the highest proportion of recurrent expenditure representing 74 per cent.
“While the economic sector expended the highest proportion of capital expenditure at 41 per cent in the year.
“The top 10 value projects of the state for year ended Dec. 31, 2024, being the second year of the present administration are nearing completion”, he further said.
In his remarks, Gov Dauda Lawal represented by the state Head of Service, Alhaji Yakubu Haidara, said the event was inline with the his administration’s commitment to transparency, accountability and citizen’s participation in governance.
The governor noted that the issue of governance was not a closed-door affair but a collective responsibility, where people must feel the impact of government policies and understand how public funds are being utilised.
“As we all know, the citizens accountability and financial report provides a transparent summary of how the state’s resources are mobilised and spent to deliver services and infrastructure to the residents.
“I want to assure the good people of Zamfara that my administration will continue to keep the residents informed about the financial commitments, performance and utilisation of public funds,” Lawal said.
