Governor Adams Oshiomhole has re-stated his administration’s commitment to providing good-governance for the people of Edo State through judicious use of taxes generated.
He made the statement in Benin City when he received reports on the Reforms of the Edo State Internal Revenue Service (EIRS) from the Principal Consultant, Mrs Ifueko Omoigui-Okauru.
The Governor said “this is our state. We have to manage it with the taxes we generate. What we promised is that the taxes collected will be judiciously used in a way that we deliver the greatest good to the greatest number within the shortest possible time.”
Expressing his conviction on the reform process, Governor Adams Oshiomhole said “the only thing that is constant is reforms and reforms when sustained, will lead to revolutionary changes.”
“We have seen the benefit of institutionalizing and carrying out major reforms in IGR but we are convinced that we can do better and improve on their efficiency.”
“We are also concerned that the challenges of improving our revenue service will be better served if we developed in-house capacity as opposed to hiring tax consultant whom we have to pay a percentage depending on how much they collect as was the case before we assumed office.”
“I have had cause to explain to people who ask me to explain how other people can’t pay salaries and we are paying; contractors have abandoned their state but contractors are here. My answer is simple. One of the things we have done is to carry out major reforms in the internally generated revenue.”
“We have the political will to do what has to be done “. The future that I see is not the one in which Nigeria economy is going to be run on or met from cheap oil money. It is now clear that that source is not reliable. It will be irresponsible for a country to depend on such sources”.
“Going forward, tax is the issue and this is one thing that is constant in any country”.
“As a government, we will not be intimidated, we will be firm. We have the will to do what we have to do and we have the mandate of the people to provide good governance for this great state. And my hope is that every reform that we carry out is reflected by appropriate legislation to back them up. This is to ensure that if you violate these laws, you can be prosecuted and convicted. “
Governor Oshiomhole thanked the consultant to EIRS Mrs. Omoigui-Okauru for bringing her wealth of experience and intellect to bear in the reform process for EIRS.
“There was no difficulty in identifying who we can approach to assist us in this area because of your outstanding performance in the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).”
“There are different kinds of consultants from Harvard, Oxford, or Yale. They master the jargons and play with words but they have never themselves manage what they are consulting on. “
“I think you have the unique opportunity of managing the entire task of FIRS. And everybody agreed that you made a difference and you laid a good foundation at that level.”
Earlier, the Principal Consultant to Edo State Internal Revenue Service (EIRS) Mrs. Ifueko-Omoigui-Okauru hinted that the exercise was in phases and that this is the second phase is the implementation with the application of technology with minimal human involvement.
She explained that the process was diagnostic with recommendation on funding of personnel, strategic direction of the EIRS like that of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), structure, Human Resource Policy and Processes, Scheme of Service and new terms and condition of Service.
Mrs. Omoiugui-Okauru thanked the Executive Chairman of Edo State Internal Revenue Service (EIRS) and other members of the Board as well as members of Edo State Economic Team for their relentless efforts and contributions to the reforms.
