Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, yesterday, in Kano said the Federal Government had identified more than 1,000 dormant revenue lines, assuring, however, that such huge dormant revenue opportunities will be maximised.

Adeosun, however, assured that the Federal Government’s drive for enhanced revenue generation would not be a burden to Nigerians.

The minister, who spoke at the opening of a two-day National Revenue Retreat in Kano, said the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari was firmly committed to turning the economy around by mobilising capital for investment in the essential infrastructure which will drive the nation’s economic growth.

The retreat entitled: “Enhancing Revenue Generation for Sustainable National Development,” according to the minister was a very important gathering, which came up at a pivotal period in the nation’s economic history.

The Minister said the revenue focus will not burden Nigerians but will ensure that all revenue due to Nigeria’s government, irrespective of the source, is collected with a high degree of efficiency, fully receipted and properly accounted for. Kano State Governor, Alhaji  Abdullahi Umar  Ganduje, had in his speech disclosed that the state government has identified about 106 dormant revenue lines which it was working assiduously to activate. However, Adeosun, in her remarks, said the Federal Government has also identified over 1,000 dormant revenue lines, assuring however, that such huge dormant revenue opportunities will be maximised.

Mrs. Adeosun also expressed the determination of the Federal Government to work with the private sector where required in order to maximise the nation’s revenue potentials.

She said the days when revenue generating agencies acted as autonomous entities outside of the budget cannot be allowed to continue, saying whether the funds are from fees and fines, from taxes or from projects, the law is clear that every naira must be paid into the Consolidated Revenue Fund.

She said “The administration has started the process of maximising our revenues with a number of initiatives. The most important change introduced is a reorientation in the thinking about public money.    Discipline and accountability in the spending of public money is a trademark of the President Buhari led administration. Making every naira count is a commitment and a policy focus and not a slogan. Citizens will not willingly pay revenues if the funds are seen to be leaking or being wasted.

“All spending must start with revenue and therefore we have commenced the work of plugging the leakages of government revenues. Such leakages can arise from a number of factors including inefficient collection systems, evasion of payments due, collusion and other malpractices, as well as obsolete tariffs.