***says no room for revenue leakages in the state
By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja
KOGI State Internal Revenue Service (KGIRS) has issued stern warning to illegal revenue collectors operating in the state to desist from the illicit act or be ready to face the full wrath of the law.
The Executive Chairman of KGIRS Alhaji Sule Salihu Enehe gave the warning in Lokoja on Wednesday while interacting with newsmen on the activities of the Revenue Service.
Enehe who vowed that the agency would continue to block all identified leakages in the system in order to boost revenue profile of the State, promised that perpetrators of the illegal act would be apprehended and prosecuted according to the existing laws.
“We are aware that despite our efforts some individuals still hide under transport unions to collect certain amounts of money from motorcycle and tricycle operators.
“They block roads in Adankolo Junction, Suya Junction near the Federal University Lokoja, first 200-Unit Housing estate Junction, Ganaja and Old Market among other places” he mentioned.
Enehe maintained that collection of revenue accruing to Kogi state is the statutory function of KGIRS as spelt out in the law establishing the Service and advised the illegal revenue collectors to change trade, stressing that the agency would not have mercy on offenders.
“We will not relent on our oars until we rid the state of illegal tax collectors because their actions and activities are already posing security threat to the state.
“They block highways at will to extort money from people in the name of tax collection and we don’t know them.
“The law for revenue collection in Kogi State is very clear to every body and we don’t expect any union to be collecting revenue meant for government.
“It is illegal and we are appealing to the security agencies in the state to assist us so that we can continually clampdown heavily on them.
“If they refused to change trade and leave the illegal act, we will not be tired of clamping down on them because no body is above the law in Kogi state”, he stated.
Speaking on the state Land Use Charge Law, the Executive Chairman stated that implementation of the law would pave way for better infrastructures, improve public services and ensure a greater future for the people of Kogi State.
“When fully implemented, it will foster data-driven decision making, pave way for the development of smart cities and jobs creation in the state.
“And in line with the ongoing tax reforms, the law aims at streamlining revenue collection, promote transparency and to ensure that all stakeholders contribute their fair share towards the development of Kogi state”, he stated. (Ends)