Government’s Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in Ekiti have agreed on more collaborative push and modalities for Revenue growth and transparency.
Speaking in Ado Ekiti, during the MDAs’ Collaboration and Performance Review Meeting involving all revenue-generating MDAs in the state, Chairman of the Ekiti State Internal Revenue Service (EKIRS), Mr Olaniran Olatona said that the State has also commenced enforcement of the presentation of a valid Tax Clearance Certificate as a precondition to access any government service.
Mr Olatona, who explained that the meeting was convened to review the performances of the MDAs, stressed that the focus is to enhance inter-agency collaboration, improve service delivery, as well as promote transparency and accountability.
Olatona emphasized the need for MDAs to confirm the validity of each Tax Certificate presented to them with the office of the EKIRS Executive Chairman before rendering such services.
He highlighted key decisions taken at the meeting, including the automation of oath fee collection and the Certificate of Business Premises, to streamline the process, save time, and reduce administrative overhead. He added that, instead of manual fee handling, automated systems can calculate, process, and collect fees electronically, potentially reducing errors and improving efficiency.
Stressing that the performance and remittances of earnings from mobile operators/installation of masts would henceforth be closely monitored, Olatona warned that enforcement against the illegal conversion of building plans (change of use) without proper approval would be strengthened.
Other areas of concern include: the need for contractors to be tax-compliant; full monitoring of all gaming and lottery activities in the state; making positive use of the forest for crop farming without deforestation to improve Internally Generated Revenue (IGR); strengthening enforcement to eliminate illegal logging activities in the forest; and attracting third-party practitioners to invest in advertising in Ekiti State.
The Chairman called for the maximum cooperation of all the MDAs as the Board leverages the services being rendered by them to the public to generate income for the government.
Emphasising that tax payment has now been made easy and everyone can do it with ease, Olatona said that the duty of his office is to monitor and coordinate the revenue generation of all MDAs, stressing the need for relevant MDAs to live up to their responsibilities.
“Tax system in Ekiti is aimed towards sustainable development and would continue to be fair without putting unnecessary financial strain on residents”, he assured.
The high-powered meeting which was attended by Governor Biodun Oyebanji also had in attendance the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Habibat Adubiaro; Chief of Staff, Mr. Oyeniyi Adebayo; Head of Service, Dr. Olufolake Olomojobi; Commissioners; Special Advisers and other members of the State Executive Council.
Last modified: April 18, 2025
