Our Development Agenda Is A Common Task – Fayemi

L-R:Tax Summit Participant, Chief Mrs. Olabisi Okunmolale; Moderator, Jumai Umar-Ajijola; Special Adviser, Revenue and Taxation Matters to Ekiti State Governor, Mrs. Bunmi Adelugba; Governor Kayode Fayemi; Chairman Internal Revenue Service, Mr. Isola Akingbade and Focus Group Leader, Dr. Ipoade Omilaju, during Ekiti State Revenue Summit 2012 in Ado- Ekiti on..Friday.

Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi says the development of the State requires contributions from not only the state government but also citizens who should take ownership of such developmental initiatives.

The Governor who spoke on “Actualising Ekiti State Development Objectives through a Robust and Inclusive Tax Base” at the closing ceremony of a two-day Ekiti State Revenue Summit 2012 held at Lady Jibowu hall, Ado Ekiti called on all and sundry to promptly pay their taxes so that they too could hold government accountable whenever the money is not judiciously utilized.

Dr. Fayemi said the Summit was to get the view of participants who are citizens across various walks of life; hoping that the participants would leave with a clear message of a renewed collective effort of the people of Ekiti in following what represents best practices in proper revenue mobilisation for development.

“As we all know, taxation is not just about those who pay but about those who benefit, it is also not just about how much is raised but also about how many people contribute. It is therefore a matter of delight that we have had the presence of many stakeholders over these two days cutting across those who are expected to contribute, those who collect and those who are given the privilege and responsibility to expend what is collected on behalf of the people”, he said.

While noting that the bulk of the N617 million monthly Internally Generated Revenue was from the formal sector, the Governor called on individuals and trade organisations in the informal sector to contribute their quota by paying taxes so that government could do more of developmental projects.

Fayemi added that the degeneration of government in the past was responsible for people’s distrust in government hence the failure to pay their taxes; stressing that government cannot not survive without input from its citizens .

“We can build more roads for Ekiti, more schools and hospitals and take good care of the elderly. However, these schemes and projects will only be sustained if everyone has a stake in their implementation and success through direct contributions, in this case by paying their taxes and rates. If our sweats are in it, we will not let it fail. Ekiti thus will become a stronger entity and a shining example for others to see.”

While restating the vision of his administration to generate at least One Billion Naira as IGR monthly by June, 2012, when loopholes are plugged, Governor Fayemi said if the IGR increases, it would amount to an increase in the allocation that would accrue to the State from the federal account.

Fayemi who debunked claims that vehicle registration in the State was higher than what obtains in other States said this happened in the previous administration when insurance was added to the registration but the present administration made it optional so that citizens could get their vehicle registrations done at the same rates other States do it.

“As the Internally Generated Revenue of Ekiti grows through these new efforts, its people will become less reliant on grants from outside the State and thus engineer a renewed focus of its government in wards and not outwards. Therefore an increase in the internally generated revenue will further entrench the democratic principles of true federalism which has been the political trademark of this region and remains a key principle of this government,”Fayemi submitted.

Last modified: April 28, 2012