Janet Samuel, Abuja
Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) on Monday launched NGF Public Finance Database that will allows citizens to easily filter and analyse States’ fiscal data and information.
The Public Finance Database for State-level public finance data was launched at the 8th NGF IGR Peer Learning Event in Abuja as the Forum reiterates its commitment to fiscal transparency and accountability to strengthen governance in the country.
Speaking at the event, Chairman of NGF, who also doubles as the Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi said the database was aimed at building greater accountability, especially showing citizens the linkage between their taxes and service delivery.
Fayemi, who was represented by Abdullahi Sule, Nasarawa State Governor informed that this will require ending the proliferation of taxpayer identification numbers and databases and call for harmonisation, leveraging a unique identification number as is global best practice.
NGF Chairman affirmed that for them to achieve this, information sharing between jurisdictions must be seamless, not only between the tiers of government but also inter and intra-State.
According to him, the Forum are working with revenue services and other MDAs to expand the tax-for-service initiatives in rewarding compliance while ensuring citizens know where they disburse their taxes annually.
Fayemi said their renewed effort must take into consideration the emerging dynamics surrounding private income in Nigeria today including the devaluation effect of the rising inflation rate, structural transition in employment, business dealings and investments, driven by the evolution of technology.
He pointed out that they recognize the need to support internal revenue services and continue to empower them with the necessary political support and financial resources required for them to execute their mandate effectively.
“For one, the event today beckons a nostalgic feeling, as it reminds me of a collective decision we took as governors in 2019 to be deliberate with reforming our tax administrations to become more efficient and effective.
“Your collaboration and support have ensured we stay the course of implementation, delivering far reaching reforms, which have yielded the results we see today.
