The Edo State Government has again reintegrated its position on revenue/levy collection in the state. This was sequel to series of petitions/complaints from members of the public on what they termed as “over taxation” from the various unions in the state, especially in the Benin metropolis. Addressing stakeholders of the various unions during a meeting with the union leader, the Executive Chairman of the Edo State Internal Revenue Service (EIRS) Chief (Sir) Oseni Elamah, said the government would always strive to ensure the protection of its citizens, even on the basis of collecting revenue in line with the stipulated laws. Chief Oseni Elamah who expressed the state government’s worry over the series of petitions and complaints on the way and manner unions were collecting monies from the public, said the meeting became imperative because of the need to address the lingering issues. He stated that though the EIRS was responsible for the collection of Internally generated revenue (IGR), it does not mount road blocks for the purpose of collecting revenue, just as he reiterated that individuals/groups are not allowed to collect revenue/levies on the road/high way. The EIRS boss asserted that most stats were faced with the challenge of meeting their people’s yearnings due to the low allocation from the Federation account. He added that Edo State was ahead because it was meeting the peoples’ yearning, including welfare and payment of workers’ salaries. According to him, ”If we must do anything, it is on the basis of the law. Government has the right to collect revenue and also has the right to protect the citizens from harassment and intimidation. While noting that the peoples’ burden was becoming extremely unbearable, Chief Elamah averred that the essence of government revolved around the welfare of its citizens, declaring that the level of indiscriminate collection of levies by unions in the state was posing threat to not only the revenue generation system but to the society at large. He further said that the EIRS has over time enlightened educated and sensitized the people on modalities of carrying out its revenue collection mandate, adding that the government remains resolute to putting a stop to such illegalities. He also stated that the government was not against union’s collecting their levies/dues, adding that they should do it appropriately. In their separate responses, the various union leaders cited lack of central Motor Park, multiple tickets by various local government council as some of the reasons for the collection of unions’ revenue on the road. The Chairman of Akugbe Ventures, Mr. Tony Kabaka Adun, noted that in the past, only government and recognized unions were authorized to collect revenue/levy, adding that there are various unions today who are harassing and intimidating market women in the name of revenue, resulting in double taxation. Mr. Kabaka pointed out that the various illegalities should be adequately checkmated if the issue of alleged multiple taxation must be eradicated. He however, suggested that a committee as well as a mobile court be set to prosecute those found wanting.
Edo Warns Unions Against Multiple Revenue Collection
