Chairman of the Joint State Revenue Committee, Mr. Okon Okon, posing with participants at JSRC meeting in Uyo
By Abasifreke Effiong
In its avowed determination to improve tax administration environment in the state, the Akwa Ibom State Internal Revenue Service, AKIRS, has hosted a-one day training for members of the Joint State Revenue Committee, JSRC.
The training was part of a multi-level sensitization for revenue stakeholders in the state, aimed to promote tax harmony for a smooth business environment, clarity and understanding of revenue laws by the different revenue authorities.
The training attended by supervisors of finance, revenue committee chairmen and directors of finance from the 31 local government areas was chaired by Mr. Okon Okon, chairman of the Joint State Revenue Committee and Executive Chairman of AKIRS.
Papers presented at the training include, “Delineation of tax jurisdiction” by Myke Etefia; Contemporary trends in collaboration of IGR between local government councils and state/strategy for improvement of revenue, by Mr. Umo Akpanobong; and “Harmonisation of revenue heads and rates”, by Mr. Kufre Ibokette.
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The chairman of the JSRC, Mr. Okon Okon, said the training was inspired by the need to promote a healthy tax environment where taxpayers are treated with respect inline with the laws and ensure that revenue officers under the different tax authorities are fully aware of what is expected of them.
“There is tremendous improvements in revenue administration in the state since the JSRC was set up because revenue administrators and taxpayers can now meet and discuss trends and contemporary issues.”
“The intention of this training for the joint state revenue committee is to create a healthy tax environment for taxpayers while giving the various tax authorities opportunity to maximise revenue collection.”
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Mr. Okon said there is a bright future for tax administration in the state because the JSRC has provided a platform for collaboration between tax authorities at the state and local government levels.
“We are beginning to discuss possibility of collaboration between all the revenue authorities in the state so that we can have robust capacity to make revenue collection less expensive and less stressful. When that happens, there will be significant improvement in revenue accruing to the state and local government areas.”
Mr. Okon hinted that the committee will review the state’s tax environment frequently and ensure that cases of multiple taxation and other issues that may cause disaffection and mistrust from taxpayers are addressed.
“The issue of multiple taxation is common in Nigeria, but as we get various tax authorities well informed and as we continue to work together as a family, that would be dealt with. We will constantly review the tax environment and if there are concerns, conflicts or undesirable situations, we will discuss at this committee level.”
Participants at the event lauded the chairman of the JSRC for the training.
