By Zakari Haruna Isah
The Kaduna State Planning and Budget Commission has commenced a three-day mid-year review of the revenue performance of all 52 revenue-generating Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), aimed at strengthening fiscal accountability, improving budget implementation and enhancing revenue generation for the second half of the fiscal year.
Speaking at the opening of the review, the Commissioner for Planning and Budget, Mukhtar Ahmed, described revenue as the foundation of governance and sustainable development, stressing that effective budget implementation depends on the state's ability to generate adequate income.
According to him, every budget comprises two major components—revenue and expenditure—and without sufficient revenue, government cannot effectively execute its developmental programmes.
He explained that the quarterly and mid-year assessments enable the government to evaluate its financial position, make accurate projections and ensure efficient implementation of the budget.
"The only way to know where Kaduna State stands financially and plan effectively is to assess the performance of the 52 revenue-generating agencies," he said.
Ahmed noted that preliminary assessments showed mixed performances among the agencies, with some exceeding their revenue targets, others recording average performance, while a few were yet to make significant progress.
To encourage efficiency, he disclosed that agencies that surpass their targets would have their budgets reviewed upward based on their capacity, while underperforming agencies would receive targeted support to address operational bottlenecks. Challenges beyond the review committee's mandate, he added, would be escalated to Governor Uba Sani for intervention.
The commissioner urged citizens to remain patient and actively monitor government finances, stressing that transparency and accountability are essential to ensuring public resources translate into meaningful development.
He reiterated the commission's commitment to an open-door policy, encouraging residents to provide constructive feedback on government spending and revenue management.
During the review, the Kaduna State Urban Planning and Development Authority (KASUDA) and the Kaduna State Traffic Law Enforcement Authority (KASTLEA) presented their first and second quarter revenue performance reports.
Presenting KASUDA's report, the Director-General, Dr. Abdulrahman Yahaya, said the authority had recorded steady growth in revenue and was on course to achieve its annual target.
He attributed the improvement to increased public compliance with urban planning regulations, revealing that voluntary compliance had risen by more than 25 per cent compared to the corresponding period in 2025.
Yahaya also said public resistance to KASUDA's operations had reduced significantly following reforms within the agency. However, he identified inadequate operational vehicles, manpower shortages and unreliable power supply as major challenges affecting operations.
On its part, KASTLEA's Corps Marshal and Chief Executive Officer, Carla Abdulmalik, clarified that although the agency is not primarily a revenue-generating institution, it is mandated to collect and remit traffic-related fines to the state government.
She expressed concern over increasing hostility towards traffic officers, alleging that road marshals are frequently attacked by erring motorists and members of the public during routine enforcement operations.
Abdulmalik explained that officers often face resistance while enforcing traffic laws against motorists driving without valid licences, vehicle documents or functional vehicle lights.
She appealed for public cooperation, stressing that KASTLEA's mandate is to promote road safety rather than generate revenue.
The Corps Marshal also disclosed that suspects involved in assaults on traffic marshals are being arrested and prosecuted, while dismissing allegations that the agency deploys plain-clothes personnel to apprehend motorists.
She maintained that all KASTLEA officers carry out their duties in official uniforms in line with the agency's operational guidelines.