The Executive Chairman of the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KGIRS), Mallam Salihu Enehe, has called on the people of the state to pay their taxes to enable the government to provide the needed infrastructural development that would improve quality of life.
Mallam Enehe made the call in Lokoja on Wednesday while speaking on the activities of KGIRS, particularly on voluntary tax compliance.
According to him, when taxpayers willingly comply, declare their income and pay their tax promptly, it would enable the government to fulfil its obligations of providing social amenities and adequate security of life and property.
He described voluntary tax compliance as the backbone of a successful tax system, demonstrating citizens’ commitment to the well-being of their state.
The chairman assured that KGIRS would continue to sensitise stakeholders, including market men and women, formal and informal business owners, employers of labour, and the populace across the 21 local government areas of Kogi State, on the need for them to perform their constitutional responsibilities.
“Prompt payment of taxes promotes a sense of civic responsibility and patriotism. When we contribute to the system, we are investing in our collective future.
“Our dynamic Governor, His Excellency Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, is very resolute in providing dividends of democracy to the people of the state. Recently, he flagged off road constructions across the three senatorial districts.
“Since he came on board as the chief executive of the state, he had invested heavily in the education and health sectors by paying bursary awards, WAEC, JAMB, and BECE fees for students and pupils of primary schools in the state. All of these, among others, can only be achieved continually if the people pay their tax promptly and as due.
“We should support this government so that it can help us in providing for our needs,” he appealed.
The chairman also used the medium to warn illegal revenue collectors to desist, stressing that whoever is caught engaging in such a criminal act would face the full wrath of the law.
“We will not relent in our effort to continue reminding illegal revenue collectors in the state to change. It is an offence against the state to collect revenue meant for the government. KGIRS is the only constitutionally recognised body saddled with the responsibilities of collecting taxes and revenues on behalf of the Kogi state government.
“Whoever is apprehended doing so will be prosecuted according to the law,” he stated.
