4th August, 2015
Governor Ayodele Fayose seems to have swapped jollying with Ekiti residents at Palm Wine joints to going hard on them for taxes after Ekiti State Government on Monday said that henceforth any taxable adult that evades tax would be treated as an economic saboteur.
The same treatment, the government said, would be given to private and public premises owned by all tiers of government operating in the state, but refused to remit their annual tax dues.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Revenue Matters Ropo Ogunjobi said this at a public enlightenment on tax payment in Ado-Ekiti.
He said that all tax dues should be remitted to government’s coffers, warning that anyone that flouted the order would face the wrath.
Also, any private or public premises that refused to pay their annual dues would be sealed-off and prosecuted.
The steps, according to Ogunjobi, are taken as a way out of the current economic crisis in the country, as well as boost the revenue tempo of the state.
“We have to take steps in view of the sharp fall in the global oil prices and attendant reduction of revenue accruing to the state from the Federal Account.
“Also, the state had to look inwards in order to meet its financial obligations; I therefore want to advise tax payers in the state to pay promptly at designated banks.
“Paying directly to banks is one of the ways to avoid payment through touts and other third parties.”
Ogunjobi decried the attitude of some tax evaders in the state particularly among the private entrepreneurs.
He said that the state government would no longer tolerate tax evasion and other approved rates on their businesses.
He stressed that Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) was meant to execute development plans of the government.
He urged the citizens to perform their civic responsibilities and contribute their quota to the development of the state without waiting to be dragged.
He said that the Internal Revenue Service had decentralised the operations of Motor Licensing Offices in all the 16 local government areas of the state.
According to him, this is part of the efforts to ensure efficiency and boost revenue generation in the state,
The special adviser said that the move would also enable vehicle owners to register them with ease at the designated centers nearest to them.