by Christiana Gokyo, Jos
The Chairman Revenue Recovery Tribunal of Gombe State, Muhammad Tukur Jungudo, says it has generated N19 billion within one year of the Tribunal’s existence.
Speaking during the commemoration of the one-year anniversary of the tribunal, the chairman said the tribunal was established in October, 2022, with the mandate to “recover government’s revenues from companies and individuals.”
He explained that, the aim of the tribunal was to surmount the problems of tax evasion, which causes government to lose a lot of income, and to ensure fairness and transparency in the tax system.
The chairman stressed that the objective was to enhancing tax payers’ confidence and curtail delays and bottlenecks in the adjudication of tax matters at conventional courts.
“With the establishment of the tribunal, the revenue of Gombe State has significantly increased. From October to December, 2022, the revenue generated was N6.6 billion, and also from January to September, 2023, the amount increased to N12 billion,” he said.
Represented by his deputy, Manasseh Daniel Jatau, the governor said “The importance of revenue generation cannot be overemphasized, being a crucial element in the running of government.”
He urged tax payers to pay their dues as at when due so as to enable government deliver dividends of democracy, adding that, “the revenue recovery tribunal is the first of its kind in the entire Northeast Sub-region.
Governor Yahaya stated that, “Prior to the establishment of the tribunal, the state’s revenue was N10.6 billion, but increased to N18.9 billion after the establishment.”
Also speaking, the former Chairman Gombe State Internal Revenue Service, Alhaji Salihu Baba Alkali, who is now a Hon Commissioner Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, represented by the Director Admin and Finance, Musa Jonga, testified that the establishment of the revenue recovery tribunal increased the revenue generated in the state.
Hon Salihu Baba Alkali commended Governor Inuwa Yahaya for establishing the Revenue Recovery Tribunal to generate more revenue for the state.
The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Zubairu Muhammad Umar, lauded the good composition of the membership of the tribunal, expressing that “The success story is not a surprise, as competent and reliable members were drawn from the Judiciary and the Ministry of Justice to carry out this task.”
He also commended Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya for his initiative and focus to establish the revenue recovery tribunal, which is the first of its kind in the zone, and concluded by applauding Justice Joseph Ahmed Awak (rtd) for his vision, which yielded positive results.
The secretary of the tribunal, Barrister Hannatu Dauda Simon, appreciated His Excellency, the Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, for his unshakeable support to poise the tribunal perform effectively.
She went further to commend the resolute commitment of the former chairman Internal Revenue Service, Hon. Salihu Baba Alkali, and the Attorney-General, Hon. Zubairu Mohammed, which caused the tribunal to experience an accelerated progression.
Barr. Hannatu called on the good people of Gombe State to understand that the tribunal was not established to witch-hunt anyone, but to encourage citizens of the state pay their tax as it secures fiscal emoluments needed by the Government to execute projects for the collective benefit of all citizens of the State.