Speaking during the launch of ‘Project CRAFT,’ and the PAYKADUNA PORTAL Friday, the KADIRS boss said the initiatives were not just about technology, but the transformative approach to governance, which will allow the state to leverage advanced data analytics and automation and enhance its capacity to generate revenue, curb leakages, and improve service delivery to the citizens.
According to him, “KADIRS in the last 8 years made a lot of huge recoveries in the range of about N20b from back duty Audits; N18b from non-tax revenues sources especially through the sale of government properties; huge exchange gains of about N42B from foreign loans/grants was recorded as revenue and finally, land allocation reforms through the creation of KADGIS.
“However, these sources have dried up, as over 80% of government-owned properties have been privatized, back duty recoveries have shrunk and the Federal Government’s pronouncement of a parallel regime in FOREX has faced out exchange gains as revenue.
“Now faced with these challenges alongside the huge debt burden on the State, the importance of innovative and out-of-the-box ideas to identify revenue potentials, improve accountability, block leakages, and expand the tax achieving both vertical and horizontal growth cannot be over-emphasized.
“This is the mindset that has birthed our reason for today’s gathering. Today, we launch ‘Project CRAFT,’ and the PAYKADUNA PORTAL, initiatives that embody the Governor Uba Sani Administration’s commitment to pacesetting, innovation, accountability, and excellence in public service reform.
“This is a never-been-seen strategy for revenue administration and a huge investment to the state, we are proud to be leading this innovation in the state. Project CRAFT, which stands for Cross-systems for Revenue Administration and Fiscal Transparency, is an innovative project, marking the beginning of a new era in revenue generation and management for Kaduna State.
This initiative is a key component of our broader vision to enhance the efficiency of the service and to ensure that every naira due to the state is duly collected and accounted for. The portal we unveil today is designed with both taxpayers and administrators in mind. The Portal creates a non-disruptive convergence of all stakeholders in a manner that improves the overall effectiveness of our revenue administration approach.
“For our taxpayers, it promises a seamless and user-friendly experience, making it easier than ever to fulfill their tax obligations. For our administrators, it provides robust tools for managing tax records, tracking transactions, and ensuring compliance.
“One of the core features of Project CRAFT is the establishment of a Central Data Repository (CDR) within the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service. This repository will serve as the backbone of our new system, ensuring that all taxpayer and tax transaction data are exclusively owned and securely managed by the state.
“Through standard data convergence protocols, we will achieve a comprehensive and unified view of our revenue landscape, which is critical for informed decision-making and strategic planning. This initiative is not just about technology; it is about transforming our approach to governance. By leveraging advanced data analytics and automation, we are enhancing our capacity to generate revenue, curb leakages, and improve service delivery to our citizens,” he said.
While launching the projects, Governor Uba Sani who was represented by his deputy, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe said, Project CRAFT and the PAYKADUNA Portal reflect his administration’s dedication to fostering a culture of transparency and accountability.
He said, “In an era where technology drives progress, our administration is committed to leveraging cutting-edge solutions to improve governance and service delivery. Project CRAFT embodies this commitment. It is a comprehensive action plan designed to integrate technological advancements, governance frameworks, stakeholder engagement strategies, and advisory services to create a robust and transparent revenue administration system.
“The PAYKADUNA Portal stands at the heart of our technological advancements. It is more than just a tool; it is a cornerstone of our Aggregate Revenue Administration and Automation Strategy. The portal offers a seamless and user-friendly experience for both taxpayers and administrators, ensuring that all transactions are efficient and transparent,” he said.
The Governor however directed all heads of revenue-generating agencies to embrace the innovative tools, saying, “It is imperative that all Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the State, promptly integrate to the platform and provide all needed support to Kaduna Internal Revenue Service to ensure seamless and efficient revenue collection process.”
