The president of Edo State International Business forum, Mr. Igbe Osayande has said that the body is ready to continue to partner with the Edo State Internal Revenue Service (EIRS) on service delivery to the State.
Mr. Osayande made this declaration when he led a delegation of Edo IBF Executives on a courtesy visit to the Executive Chairman of the EIRS, Mr. Igbinidu Inneh.
He congratulated the Executive Chairman on his new appointment and stated the body is convinced that the current changes in the processes of the Revenue Service is the right way to go, saying the business community are happy with the development.
He added that there is no way a growing economy as that of Edo state can survive without a business entity relating with the body and practitioners in the organized private sector.
The President of the Forum praised the Executive Chairman for his support for the business community, adding that it is unquantifiable and have not gone unnoticed. He therefore told the Chairman that in the light of this, an award has been reserved in his honor believing it will spur him to do more.
He said because of the Executive Chairman’s representation of the Executive Governor at their annual local summit and his presentation therein, some foreign companies have been encouraged to invest in the State. He also informed that a company from the United States is already doing business within the State and will ensure the Company’s management pay a visit to the Executive Chairman in due course.
Mr. Igbe sued for continuous cooperation between the Service and the forum and also using the opportunity to inform the Executive Chairman of their upcoming programs and sought for the participation of the Edo State Internal Revenue Service in the area of Tax enlightenment.
In his response, the Executive Chairman, Mr. Igbinidu Inneh commended the forum for the visit and challenged the forum on increased patronage and their obligations to tax payment.
Mr. Inneh said that from time immemorial, the single most critical element in being an attractive investment destination has been the Ease of Doing Business.
He remarked that on assumption of office, as far as revenue administration was concerned, six (6) critical success factors were identified which are data, technology, capacity, value for money, Legal and regulatory framework as well as enlightenment.
The Executive Chairman said that in understanding the revenue market so as to reduce the burden being lamented by the citizens as regards tax, an approach to meet the challenge have been developed under three (3) major groups- assets; fixed and mobile, informal sector; fixed and mobile locations, formal business; fixed location businesses and online/remote businesses, adding that it will help the Service in determining the characteristics of individual taxpayers using the automation processes.
He however, asserted that tax paying was not the only need of the entire process, but it will also aid in futuristic planning, because it is from revenue generated, the government is able to provide services for its citizens.
The Chairman opined it was time the Service got it right and that services mandated to be provided, should be seamless and comfortable for the citizenry in line with the Governor’s intent expressed during his inauguration.
“It is not only going to be pocket friendly, we will also be very firm by the laws with respect to those that may not be willing to comply with its provisions and sanctions will be placed as prescribed in relevant sections of the law when necessary” he stated.
The meeting ended with the Executive Chairman being presented with a prestigious award for his contribution to the business community and was also issued a certificate in recognition of his participation at the Edo Business and Investment Summit held earlier in the year.
