By Moses Gbande
Plateau state government on Friday hosted a public sector strategic engagement on taxation, as a deliberate plans to maximize windows of opportunities at her disposal to improve the revenue generation of the state.
Organized by the state chapter of the board of internal revenue service, in collaboration with Unimaek limited, under the theme: latent opportunities for MDGs and local governments in plateau state to catalyze an deliver optimal revenue yield, Chairman of the board Mr. Dashe Arlst told the gathering that the occasion was designed to reaffirming and forging a new coalition.
” This is a movement that will eventually galvanize and crystalize our collective efforts towards a unified revenue administration structure for Ministries, Departments, Agencies and Local Government Councils. It is therefore my pleasure to warmly welcome you all to this forum, which is the first since the signing into law, of the new Plateau State Revenue (Consolidation) law 2020, by His Excellency, the Governor.
‘I welcome specially, His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Plateau State, Barr. Simon Bako Lalong. Your personal presence here is not only reassuring and motivating but a testament to the seriousness you attach to the renewed drive for a strong and sustainable revenue base for the State. This has been amply demonstrated by the speedy accent you gave to the new Plateau State Revenue (Consolidation) law 2020, your inauguration, just a few weeks back of the Plateau State Revenue Council under your Chairmanship, as well as of the Plateau State internal Revenue Service Governing Board. Indeed, we cherish the support and direction you have been giving to the Plateau State Internal Revenue Service. Thank you, sir.
“Your Excellency, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, the theme for this year’s Public Sector Strategic Engagement on Taxation is “Latent opportunities for MDAs and Local Governments in Plateau State to catalyze and deliver optimum revenue yield”, It was carefully chosen to further amplify the resolve and renewed commitment by the present administration to tap from the huge reservoir of yet-untapped revenues in the various MDAs and Local Governments in the state,
“The identification, capturing, profiling, notification, timely assessment and due collection of those revenues have over the years, been badly neglected, or they were simply not harnessed at all. The topic also speaks to the need for all stakeholders to come together at a roundtable in the wake of the recently signed Plateau State Revenue (Consolidation) law 2020, to highlight and communicate the broad stipulations of the law as well as the roles and expectations of MDAs and Local Governments in that regard. Ultimately, we hope to not just develop a very strong paitnership and synergy between and amongst all public sector stakeholders hare present, but to be seen to be on the same page in this endeavor.
“This stakeholders’ engagement therefore marks the beginning of a new push 4 our callective drive to have a formidabie revenue base that will serve as the launch pad tor the provision of enduring basic infrastructure and social services to aur peaple jt may interest you to know that even before the onset of the twin challenges of dwindling revenues from the federally distributable allocations and the covid 19 pandenic, the Plateau State Internal Revenue Service had begun a massive process af scaling wp the state’s revenue profile.
“We had expanded the capturing and profiling of more individuals and entities into the tar net through direct engagement, and with the application of relevant technology Our efforts resulted in significant improvements on the internal revenue yield of the state, such that Plateau State was adjudged one of the tap-ten states in Nigeria thal added the most in its Internally Generated Revenue in 2020, with a total collection af N2.64billion, compared to 2019. The reality however is that, when you consider the enormous responsibilities government desires to discharge and deliver to the peaple, and against the backdrop of drastic drops in the monthly federal allocations, this 2070 figure is certainly a drop in the ocean. Yet another fact however is that there are luge potentials and contributions that can come from MDAs and focal governmant (o the general pool, and we should agree here, today, and now, to bring these on board in order to support the administration to truly make a difference,
“The report of a survey we commissioned sometimes last year Indicated that we could indeed do more, if all the processes, structures and technological gaps naticed In MDAs and local governments are plugged and fine-tuned. It Is clear therefore, that it Is the responsibility of Ministries, Departments Agencies and Local Gavernment Councils, under the new law, to tailor their operational function and mandates with the core functions of PSIRS. Each MDA and local government are expected to henceforth focus attention towards improved and sustained performance In their daily collections and remittances of all forms of other taxes, levies and chargus, inte the Treasury Single Account, TSA, in order to facilitate the process, the Plateau State Internal Revenue Service which is vested the responsibility of identifying, compilation and storage of a comprehensive and easily retrievable taxation data base, has established the modus aperandi in that regard.
“We have begun and shall continue to interface and gulde all MUAs and Lacal Gevernments in the State to optimize their revenue generation and collaction Transparent cooperation by leaderships of MDAs and Lacal Governments is thoretois jatin thic regard,
“your Excellency, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, permit me at this juncture to draw the attention of this gathering to some provisions of the Plateau State law as they apply to MDAs and Local Governments. Part 3, for instance lays out the unified revenue administration structure for Ministries, Departments, Agencies and Local Government Councils, | want to challenge leaderships of MDAs and Local Governments to meticulously and carefully study, understand and apply this section of the law. On the other hand, the law in part 5 also prescribes the offences and penalties for persons and corporate bodies. These include fines and long prison terms for any contravention of the law. It is helpful to remember, that ignorance of the law is not an excuse.
“For instance, it is now illegal for anybody, MDA or Local Government to mount a roadblock for the purpose of collecting any revenue due to it. Also, anybody who ads, abets, counsels or induces another person to commit an offence under the tax law, is liable on conviction to a fine equivalent to 400 percent of the sum in question and imprisonment for a term of one year.
“It is therefore very crucial that you are conversant with these provisions in order to guide you in the execution of your functions for improved revenue yield and avoid falling foul of the law. i want to appeal to you to recognize and operate your functions in such a way that they are efficient. With the Governor’s endorsement, MDAS and Local Governments must identify and block all forms of leakages, for the optimal generation of the expected revenue for the State.
“To our beloved tax-paying public here represented today by leaderships of business, professional and related entities, I wish to appeal to you to co-operate with all the relevant agencies by discharging you tax obligations as a civic duty. The provision of physical infrastructure and social services can only be made possible if we pay our taxes as and when due. It is our desire that this drive for improved revenue generation will not be left to Government alone but that as stakeholders, the individuals and organisations in the private sector must be seen to also take the lead in ensuring its success,
“Let me assure you of the commitment of the Plateau State Internal Revenue Service to the delivery of an efficient, transparent, and accountable service.
“Before I end this address, I want to once more, thank His Excellency, Rt Hon, Simon Bako Lalong for gracing this occasion with his esteemed presence and his continuing support and direction to the internal revenue service.
“I wish you all very fruitful deliberations.
Thank you and God bless”.
Nasarawa Reporters 