The Borno state government is to launch a remittal platform for the Treasury Single Account (TSA) to block leakages in its revenue receipts and depositions. While announcing the TSA at the weekend in Maiduguri, the Commissioner for Finance and Economic Planning, Alhaji Adamu Lawan at the breakdown of 2021 budget disclosed: “Our remittal platform will be launched on March 15, 2021.” “As from March, all payments and revenue collected by government ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) will be paid directly into the single account.” According to him, the financial exercise measures, is to block all leakages in revenue collection for the subsequent financial fiscal years. He said besides the adoption of TSA, the budget process will also be digitalized, including the capture of workers’ salaries and gratuities into the Integrated Payroll and Personal Information System (IPPIS) of Borno state.
He added that the revenue projection; particularly the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) for the 2021 budget; was estimated at N16.6 billion out of the total recurrent revenue of N83.3 billion. Besides the estimated IGR, he said: “The Borno state government projected funds from the statutory monthly allocation from the federation account, grants and loans and other financial supports.” He said the approved 2021 budget size of N248 3 billion was targeted to improve security, boost agriculture and food production, and discourage dependence on food aids. He also noted that reconstruction of public infrastructure including roads, hospitals and water supply points are ongoing across the state. He added that the budget will also address the impacts of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on the people.
The 2021 budget tagged: “People’s Budget of Recovery and Reconstruction, was about N140 billion lighter than the 2020 reviewed appropriation bill accented by Governor Babagana Zulum. He warned heads and finance directors of government ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) against spending outside budgetary allocations. “You would be punished for violating any of the financial rules and regulations, while implementing the budget,” he warned. He said such acts were a violation of government procedures and could put an impeachable offence on the neck of the state government. He said the Ministry of Finance would withhold release of other funds no any ministry, department and agency that continue to indulge in such financial violations. He therefore urged the people to be law abiding by paying their taxes and duties promptly to ensure the Zulum administration redeems its pledges on the dividends of democracy and good governance.
