The Executive Chairman, Edo State Internal Revenue Service (EIRS), Igbinidu Inneh has said the Revenue Service will explore media opportunities for the purpose of tax enlightenment.
This assurance was made when the EIRS boss received the new business manager of SilverBird Communications, Benin during a courtesy visit to the Revenue House in Benin.
Assuring of a stronger bond and its deriving benefits between the media house and the Revenue Service, Inneh said: “We would like to explore this window with you so that we can bring information nearer to taxpayers so they can understand exactly what their responsibilities to government are, the implications of not meeting with such responsibilities. By so doing, taxpayers will know that not all payments made to government are all taxes. Some are rates, levies, fines.”
The EIRS boss noted that in achieving the objective of the revenue agency, several critical success factors have been identified which includes technology, human capital development, legal and regulatory framework, enforcement, engagement and enlightenment of stakeholders particularly taxpaying public which is very important to the Service.
He said the connection between the revenue agency and citizens of the state particularly the taxpaying public are the infrastructural development, investment, commercial and economic activities as stimulant for economic growth managed and executed by the Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki, who is very focused on delivering the highest value within the shortest possible time to the people.
He appealed to the general public particularly taxpayers, to refrain from assaulting staff of the Service saying: taxes are civic duty that citizens owe to themselves and to government. The EIRS have mechanisms for addressing tax disputes rather than resulting to self-help that is counter-productive. He added “the Service will legally ensure conviction of any offender who assault staff of the EIRS so as to serve as a deterrent to others.
He advised tax defaulters in the state to settle all outstanding taxes owed government just as he reiterated of EIRS’ will to recover all government revenues into government treasury.
Earlier, the new business manager SilverBird Communications Benin, Andy Bello, while appreciating efforts of the EIRS Executive Chairman and its management team for its strategic role in the infrastructural development of Edo State, said “the Service that EIRS renders is the lifeblood of this administration. Without the EIRS, government can’t fulfil anything and it is the agency that gives the financial energy with which the ‘wake-and-see’ Governor does what he is doing.”
Suing for a collaborative relationship between the EIRS and SilverBird Communications, Andy Bello noted “that as fourth estate of the realm, we make activities of the public particularly government and its MDAs known to the society, through our programmes that are now tailored towards the peculiarities of the environment and culture of the people. That is our job and business.”