1st June, 2015
Jethro Ibileke/Benin
Edo State Government on Monday has banned agents who collect taxes and levies from artisans, market women and drivers on behalf of local government councils.
Chairman of Edo Internal Revenue Services, Chief Oseni Elamah, who disclosed this at a press briefing in Benin, also announced the disengagement of Akugbe Ventures, a private company which was responsible for collecting levies from commercial drivers in the state on behalf of the state government.
Elamah also disclosed that unions like the Road Transport Employers Association, Drivers Welfare Scheme and National Union of Road Transport Workers, were barred from collecting union dues on the high way forthwith, adding that existing extant laws forbade government from engaging agents for the purpose of collecting taxes and levies from citizens.
He said revenue accruing to the government at all levels were supposed to be collected in a prescribed manner and not through agents or consultants.
“The law gave government the power to generate revenue to render services to the people. The provisions there is that nobody has the power to mount road blocks in whatever name on the highway to collect revenue.
“We have written to the police to enforce this cashless revenue collection of the Edo State Government. We are implementing the federal government law which forbids anybody from mounting roadblock under the guise of collecting revenue. Any member of the public that is being harrass or intimidated should immediately report such person to the police.
“We urge the police to arrest such persons because the laws do not allow the collection of revenue on our highways or streets. Whenever you pay, demand for government official receipt to be issued to you.”
Chief Elamah explained that all eligible tax payers were expected to comply with relevant tax laws by filing annual tax returns on the basis on which they would be assessed on what to pay, adding that no cash payment was allowed except through designated banks.
He therefoe urged commercial drivers to report anybody that harasses and intimidates them to pay money to them.
Chief Elamah also disclosed that the state government has begun implementation of the Presumptive Tax Regime which targets the informal sector.
He said those in the informal sector would be encouraged to document their income over a period of one year to enable tax authorities ascertain their income because taxes are paid on income earned.