Muhammad Garba
A Coalition of Civil Societies known as Tax Justice and Governance Platform (TJGP) has urged the Jigawa state government to take extra measures against rising the state debt profile which currently stands at ₦63.36 billion.
The group made the call during a press conference organized as part of the commemoration of the World Day for Debt Justice Campaign held in Dutse capital.
While reading the press statement the chief host of the TJGP in Jigawa state who is also state chairman of Prime Initiative For Community Development and Fiscal Transparency Comrade Muhammad Abdu Dutse Sa’id, despite the state debt profile is lowest compared to other Northwest states of the federation, yet there is need to take extra careful to avoid unnecessary borrowing.
According to TJGP, between 2015 to 2023 the state-local debt increased by almost 60 percent while the foreign loan decreased.
The group then advised the Jigawa state government to explore more source of revenue generation to funds it’s public expenditure and also reduced coast of governance barest minimal level as the only solution for avoiding unnecessary loan.
They also called on the state house of assembly to review their borrowing laws to ensure only loans that can positively stimulate economic growth are allowed to be taken. If accessed, it will be properly utilized with a clear mechanism of monitoring and evaluation of its impacts.
“We want to use this period to also call on federal, state, and local government to redirect Subsidy Removal Saving” toward funding the country’s critical infrastructure and public services such as power supply, Healthcare service delivery, and education”
“For now the people of Nigeria only know the adversary effect of fuel subsidy removal, therefore there is an urgent need for leaders to implement policy and programs that will show positive aspects of the subsidy removal before it becomes too late for everyone,” the statement declared
