The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has expressed confidence in the FCT-IRS Chairman and his team that they would no doubt live up to their bidding as he inaugurated the Joint Revenue Committee (JRC).
Bello while inaugurating the members of the committee in Abuja mandated them to justify the confidence reposed in them by designing strategies to optimise revenue in the territory.
He explained that, the establishment of JRC came with a clear mandate to harmonize all sources of revenue with a view to block leakages and address multiple taxation saying that, this is a crucial issue that the committee must address extensively.
He said he had no iota of doubt, that JRC under the leadership of the FCT-IRS Chairman, Mr Haruna Abdullahi and the support of other members of the committee, would succeed.
According to him, with this development, FCT will witness exciting times in terms of revenue generation.
“I am glad that the area council chairmen have keyed into this project, there must be collaboration with chairmen on this course for success to be recorded. This is for the betterment of all major stakeholders, it is better to get 10 per cent from a big pool than to get 100 per cent from a small pool”.
In his remarks, the chairman of JRC who is also the Acting Executive Chairman of the FCT-IRS, Mr Haruna Abdullahi thanked the Minister for his support in ensuring this was realised adding that the political will deployed on the project is highly appreciated.
“The Minister’s leadership and guidance have been instrumental in the formation of this Committee, and we are truly honoured by your unwavering support”.
“I also appreciate the role played by the Permanent Secretary, FCTA, Distinguished Senators representing FCT Committees at the National Assembly, Honourable Members of the House of Representatives, and Chairmen of Area Councils, thank you for your invaluable contributions and commitment to the harmonization drive of the FCT” he stated.
Mr Abdullahi indicated that the Committee represented a landmark achievement in their shared mission to improve revenue generation and administration, foster economic growth, and enhance the overall quality of life for the residents of the FCT.
He however expressed gratitude for the collaborative spirit that had brought them together, and would be looking forward to working closely with all stakeholders to achieve their common goals.
The Mandate Secretary of Economic Planning and Revenue Generation and PPP, Mr Agboola Dabiri said with this development, he was leaving the office as a fulfilled person.
He said the constitution and inauguration of the committee was part of the outcome of the recent stakeholders retreat on Harmonisation of revenue and Ease of doing business in the FCT that took place in Akure.
On his part, the FCT ALGON Chairman, Danladi Chiya, who is also the Chairman of Kwali Area Council, stated that the effort to streamline the revenue collection process and modernise the tax system, shows that ease of doing business has come to stay in the FCT.
He said: “We the Chairmen of the six Area Councils, we will put our heads together to make sure that FCT-IRS succeeds by the grace of God”.