The Zamfara State Government recorded a total revenue of ₦358.9 billion in 2024, representing 82 per cent of its approved revenue projection of ₦437 billion, according to the State Auditor-General, Abubakar Danmaliki.

Danmaliki made this disclosure in Gusau on Thursday during the presentation of the 2024 Citizens’ Accountability Report, highlighting the administration’s fiscal performance.

He noted that the main sources of revenue included statutory allocations, Value Added Tax, Internally Generated Revenue, as well as aids and grants. Danmaliki praised the administration’s performance, saying: “In the year under review, we witnessed modest growth in VAT, federal allocations, and IGR.”

He specifically commended the state governor’s efforts, stating: “I must commend the efforts of the current administration under Governor Dauda Lawal for strengthening internal revenue administration, blocking leakages, and improving taxpayer education and compliance.”

Speaking earlier, the Commissioner for Finance, Bello Auta, stated that the report presentation marked the maiden edition of such an initiative in the state.

He disclosed that citizens’ nominated projects across the state totalled ₦105 billion, all of which were fully executed and completed, including projects initiated under the Gender Equity and Social Inclusion scheme. Auta said that before the current administration, Zamfara had struggled with poor financial practices such as non-retirement of advances, IGR spent at source, and improper payment documentation.

He affirmed the current administration’s success in addressing those issues, saying: “Through transparency, accountability, and prudent resource management, these issues have now been effectively addressed,” he said.

The 2024 budget, themed “Budget of Consolidation and Continuity”, was passed on December 29, 2023, with implementation commencing on January 1, 2024.

Key highlights from the 2024 budget performance showed that aggregate revenue performance stood at ₦358.9 billion, which is 18 per cent below the budgeted ₦437 billion. Capital expenditure reached 55 per cent performance on a projected ₦292 billion, while recurrent expenditure (personnel) fell short by 16 per cent. Other recurrent expenditure was within the acceptable threshold at 63 per cent.

The administrative sector accounted for 74 per cent of recurrent expenditure, while the economic sector took 41 per cent of capital expenditure. Auta added that the state’s top 10 value projects for the year ended December 31, 2024, representing the second year of the current administration, were nearing completion.

In his remarks, Governor Dauda Lawal, represented by the Head of Service, Alhaji Yakubu Haidara, reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and citizen participation in governance.

He emphasized the government’s role in making its activities accessible to the public, saying: “Governance is not a closed-door affair, but a collective responsibility where citizens must feel the impact of policies and understand how public funds are being utilised.”

The governor further highlighted the report’s purpose: “This report provides a clear and transparent summary of how the state’s resources are mobilised and spent to deliver services and infrastructure to residents.”

He assured the people of Zamfara that his administration would continue to keep them informed about the financial performance, commitments, and utilization of public funds.