By Dipo Olowookere
Chairman of the Joint Tax Board (JTB), Mr Tunde Fowler, has challenged state governors in Nigeria to emulate measures put in place by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State in enhancing the efficiency and productivity of his state’s Board of Internal Service, for improved revenue profile in their various states.
Mr Fowler gave this charge at the 141st meeting of the JTB in Enugu, which was attended by chairmen of the Board of Internal Revenue from the 36 states of the federation.
He commended Mr Ugwuanyi for putting in place a proficient and unparalleled tax regime, which has ensured that the state exceeded the 15 percent tax revenue to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) benchmark suggested by the United Nations for the funding of budgets.
He further praised the Governor for the unprecedented growth in the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state, as well as the judicious utilisation of the said funds for the rapid development of the state.
The chairman said the objective of the meeting, with the theme: ‘Leveraging on ICT for efficient tax administration and revenue enhancements, focusing on States IRS,’ was to discuss tax matters and how to provide better services as well as “look at contracts executed with tax payers’ money.”
Mr Fowler doubles as the chairman of Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).
Adedapo Adesanya