…pledges robust collaboration with media
The chairman of Ekiti State Internal Revenue Services, EKIRS, Olaniran Olatona has vowed to increase the Internal Generated Revenue, IGR, of the state.
Olatona stated this when the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Ekiti State Council paid him a courtesy visit in his office on Thursday.
According to him, the Agency is working in line with the extant laws and regulations guiding its operations towards ensuring that the state is business friendly.
He called on government officials, law enforcement agencies and the populace to fulfil their civic obligations while pledging to collaborate with the media in ensuring that residents of the state pay taxes.
He said: “We are also brainstorming in-house and other stakeholders so that people won’t be disadvantaged staying in Ekiti State. If you tax people excessively, we won’t make the state to be business friendly and that is not our mission.
“In my meeting with government officials, I have told them that there is no need playing double standard. Let the law enforcement officers stay above board.
“The governor, deputy governor, speaker and others are not super imposing. We are fully autonomous and Consultants to the government.
“We have not introduced any new tax. We met with the local government chairmen so that the burden won’t be on the masses. We all reached on an agreement on the things the law stipulates.”
Earlier, the NUJ Chairman, Ekiti State Council, Kayode Babatuyi commended the Agency for their efforts in improving the IGR of the state.
He went further to seek for partnership with the Agency aimed at sensitizing and creating awareness to residents of the state on the need and benefits of paying tax.
“In Ekiti State, some of the taxes are not new. Our people are not used to paying tax. We need lot’s of awareness and sensitization. The media has a great role to play in assisting the Agency.
“We must commend your efforts in improving the IGR of the state. We believe that we can work with the Agency and see how we can organise a road walk in the state on the need for residents to pay their taxes.”