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*As KIRS sets to overshoot#30bn Target.
In a bid to ensure seamless collection of revenue in kogi state, the Internal Revenue Service, KIRS has begun the clamping down on unauthorised collection of revenues on the highways.
The Chairman, Kogi state Revenue Service, Alhaji Salisu Sule Enehe gave the hint on Thursday in a press conference held in Lokoja.
The chairman assured of the commitment of the service to surpass the budgeted target of #39.4bn for the 2024 fiscal year and promised to bring every taxable entity across the state under one roof .
He noted that the state has enacted tax administration law, which has criminalised collection of revenue on the highway by unauthorized persons, who have consistently posed security threats to the publics.
He decried the attitude of the tax collectors on the highways, who have constituted themselves into menace to motoring publics by mounting illegal roadblocks intimidating motorists with all sort of sundry revenues.
He said to this end, the commission has solicited for the cooperation of the security agencies to enforce compliance.
” These people claimed to be working for the Local Government Councils. They print their tickets forcing certain vehicles to pay for the goods. They claimed to have worked for the party in power and their reward is to print receipts and go to the highways to harass and terrorise the people.
“We have entered into Mou with Local Government Councils and MDAs on how to harmonise revenue collection to avoid multiple taxation and we are determined to rid the highways across the state of these illegality ” He assured.
While giving the details of the performance of his administration, disclosed that by 2016, the state could barely generate more than six billion naira, but he has steadily raised the bar, even as at the end of 2023, the commission raked in #23bn out of the projected collection of #24bn for the state.
He warned those engaging in this unscrupulous acts of illegality of posing as revenue consultants duping unsuspecting citizens to desist , warning that revenue on farm produce should only be collected at the point of loading.
He added that the state has set #30.4 bn for 2024 and assured that with the renewed determination of management and staff, it will overshoot the target.
The chairman hinted that with the establishment of government institutions and establishments and new corporate entities springing up across the state which , he said ,would be brought under tax net, guaranteeing bumper revenue generation for the state.
According to him, the state Joint Tax Board SJTB was an agreement with the local Government Councils on ways to bring revenue collection under one roof as the state will collect the revenue on their behalf and remit same to them, adding that the services of revenue consultants by MDAs has been terminated.
The chairman, who commended the management and staff of their commitment to efficient service delivery assured of prompt payment of salary and emoluments, regular promotions and benefits contained in condition of service.
