Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi has tasked the State Internal Revenue Service (EKIRS) to block all leakages in revenue generation.
Speaking at the Roundtable on Revenue Generation and Tax Reform in Ekiti, held at the Excos Chambers ,Governor Fayemi said that it had become imperative to look for alternative source of income aside the dwindling monthly revenue allocation from the federation account.
The Governor also stressed the need to properly tracking of tax defaulters towards ensuring that all eligible tax payers live up to their responsibilities to the benefit of all stakeholders.
Also speaking at the Roundtable ,the Executive Chairman of the Ekiti State Internal Revenue Service , Mr. Olumuyiwa Ogunmilade said that tertiary institutions in the State would henceforth be expected to pay 100% Pay As You Earn (PAYE) tax of their employees in accordance with the Personal Income Tax Act (PITA) 2011 just like every other Civil Servant in the State.
Mr. Ogunmilade who advocated for positive attitude and dedication on the part of the citizens towards tax payment emphasized that all taxable adults owe it a sense of duty to pay appropriate tax, adding that it was inexcusable for anyone to avoid paying tax and expect good governance.
Ogunmilade said that though the growth rate is comparatively high, the State was yet to attain the desired height in terms of revenue generation.
He noted that States that are performing remarkably well in terms of having a robust revenue profile are the States that adequately capture all the revenue from tertiary Institutions in their areas as part of their IGR.
According to him, proper capturing of revenue would automatically increase the revenue profile of the state which is one of the factors considered in determining the sharing formula from FAAC.
On his part ,the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Wale Fapohunda called for synergy between the EKIRS and other relevant ministries so as to boost the State’s IGR.