The position of Edo as 4th in internally generated revenue amongst the 36 state internal revenue services in Nigeria has been attributed to the collaboration and support of the taxpaying organizations and the people of Edo State.
Chief Elamah said the Joint Tax Board’s (JTB) release of states position in IGR rankings which placed Lagos, Rivers and Delta States ahead of Edo was as a result of their large economic and oil rich status noting that Edo State can still do more especially with the collaboration of the Nigerian Immigration Service to assist in the identification of expatriates working in the State.
The Executive Chairman, EIRS, disclosed this when he played host to the Comptroller of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Edo State Command, Mr. Alana Olusegun.
The EIRS boss further said that the sole authority charged with the responsibility of monitoring the movement of persons in and out of any country is the Nigerian Immigration Service hence the need for co-opting them into the JTB became imperative.
He acknowledged the existing co-operation between the two bodies and emphasized the need for collaboration with the NIS to ensuring that all expatriate working in the state are brought into the tax net.
Earlier, the Comptroller of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Edo State Command, Alana Olusegun described the mutual relationship among institutions/agencies as a panacea for economic development of any society.
Alana Olusegun who harped on the need to ensure mutual partnership with organizations like the EIRS in view of such mutual benefits, extolled the wealth of experience brought to bear in the revenue system of Edo State by Chief Elamah.
He described as remarkable development, the optimization of the revenue profile of Edo State from N280 million to an average of N1.6 billion monthly.
“I have to thank you for what you have been doing especially the improvement of revenue generation for Edo State. That you have been able to up the revenue profile from a meager 280 million to N1.6 billion is a tremendous result you have achieved.”
Alana condemned the attitude of some highly placed individuals in Nigerians who do not want to pay tax in spite of their exposure to the outside world.
He said, “Other countries/cities of the world such as Britain, Switzerland and Lagos depend largely on tax for survival. Even the Federal Government is finding ways of generating revenue from other sources.
He pointed out that the EIRS still has a lot to carry out in the revenue system, and stressed the need for the agency to carry the people along in terms of tax education and enlightenment campaign.
