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| Executive Governor, Plateau State. Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong |
The Plateau state Governor,
the Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong, has enjoined all the citizens: individual and corporate
living in the state to submit to the tax authorities and requirements through
regular payment of their tax obligations.
Speaking through the Dep.
Gov, Prof Sonni Tyoden, during a public engagement programme, “the 2016,
Plateau State Stakeholders Engagement on Taxation and Tax Performance Awards”,
held in Jos, the Plateau state capital, and organized by the Plateau State
Internal Revenue Service (PSIRS), the
Governor called on the people to be good citizens, law abiding and tax
compliant at all times.
Continuing, the Governor,
charged, the tax authority to sniff out all Tax avoiders and ensure that they
are prosecuted. He, advised that pragmatic and far reaching measures, but
within the law should be explored to ensure Tax avoiders in the state has no
hiding place and that they are not allowed to go unpunished.
Speaking further, he told the
participants of the programme that Tax remittances by individuals and corporate
bodies are key to the survival of every government and instrumental for the
attainment of peace, security and good governance.
He also reminded the
participants of the programme and by extension citizens in the state that tax
payment is both constitutional and spiritual responsibility of every citizen,
and equally advised, the Tax authority, the Plateau State Internal Revenue
Service to put in place machinery that will not only ensure that people are Taxed,
but that also the tax base is substantially increased. This according to the
Governor will entail looking inwards with the aim of harnessing revenue
potential of the state. On this note His Excellency called on all agencies of
government to see the need to wake-up, saying the challenge before the
government is enormous, and the government cannot afford to fail the people.
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The Governor reiterated, as
always that his government will judiciously utilize all revenues generated
during his administration, to the benefit of the economy and the citizens. He assured
the people that the government through the State revenue office has expanded the
avenues of payment by deploying various options offered by technology, to
ensure that much time and energy are not wasted in the course of payment of
their revenue bills. Similarly, he said such has also become very necessary so
as to ensure that all revenues due and paid are traceable to the state
government purse, to facilitate the resolve and efforts of government to
deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.
Contributing to the
discussion, the Chief Host of the programme, Mrs Tamwakat Gofwen Weli, Hon
Commissioner for Finance, Plateau State noted that “payment of taxes, empowers
the people to demand transparency and accountability from the public servants. Earlier
in her address, she informed the gathering that the theme for 2016 stakeholder’s round-table is “Enhanced Revenue Generation for Effective Economic Development
and Prosperity.
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The Executive Chairman, Federal
Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mr. Babatunde Fowler, speaking through a
representative, Lawal Abubakar, the Secretary, Joint Tax Board, praised the
Plateau State Government and the Plateau State Internal Revenue Service for the
progressive revenue collection profile of N3.4bn in 2010, N4.5bn in 2011,
N6.9bn in 2012, N8.4bn in 2013, and N8.2bn in 2014.
Similarly, the Acting
Chairman, PSIRS, Mr Dashe A. D. in his contribution said “the performance of
Plateau State Internally Generated Revenue must be such that can complement in
the short term, but hopefully overtake in the long term, the state’s dependence
on Federal Allocation.
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| Participants at the stakeholders programme |
In his keynote address, Mr. Swomen,
Head Human Resource, Union Bank of Nigeria, an indigene of the State called the
attention of the Rt. Hon. Simon Lalong led administration in the State to work assiduously
to expand the revenue base of the state and to strategically focus the state
economy through good governance, enhanced human capacity through education,
innovative skills, infrastructure development, commerce and technology.
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Expatiating on human capital
development, in Plateau state, he reiterated the fact that people love coming
to Jos and the state as a whole, and therefore, demanded to know, if the state
has an education master plan, that encourages this. He asked, is it somewhere,
does anybody know? He also spoke passionately on the need for a long term development
plan for the state, and if such already exists, he asked how clear it is to the
people, the strategies and structure adopted to sell it to the general public,
to ensure their buy into the vision.
Continuing he emphasized the
need for all arms of government and government agencies to demonstrate high
level of transparency and accountability in every dealings, saying it is
important that the government looks at her transparency ration.
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| Other Participants at the event |
Many contributions were
received from stakeholders at the event, including the Professional bodies, Business
Membership groups, members of the civil society and Non-governmental bodies.
Before the event came to a
close, winners of the Plateau State Secondary Schools Essay competition on
Taxation were presented with prices, while individuals and corporate bodies
that has proven to be compliant, reliable and consistent in the discharge of their
tax obligations to the state were also presented with awards.
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