The Chairman of Plateau State Internal Revenue Services (PSIRS), Mr. Arlat Dashe
By YUSUFU IDEGU, Jos-
The Plateau State Internal Revenue Services (PSIRS) has asked stakeholders in the revenue sector to collaborate with the State Government in area of tax payment.
The Chairman of PSIRS, Mr. Arlat Dashe made the call at the 2021 Public Sector Strategic Engagement on Taxation Forum held in Government House, Jos.
According to Dashe: “The tax-paying public here represented today by leaderships of business, professional and related entities, I wish to appeal to you to co-operate with all the relevant agencies by discharging your tax obligations as a civic duty”.
“The provision of physical infrastructure and social services can only be made possible if we pay our taxes as and when due”.
“This appeal has become necessary in view of recent decline in internal revenue for the state”.
“It is our desire that this drive for improved revenue generation will not be left to Government alone but that as stakeholders, the individuals and organisations in the private sector must be seen to also take the lead in ensuring its success”, he said.
Mr. Dashe who used the opportunity to inform stakeholders of the new tax law in the state, said the law would not only enhance the profile of its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), but would also ensure transparency and accountability in all forms of revenue collection in the state.
National Accord learnt that the new revenue law was signed recently by Governor Simon Lalong after it was passed by the State House of Assembly.
The Chairman said: “Under the new law, it is now illegal for anybody, MDA or Local Government to mount a roadblock for the purpose of collecting any revenue due to it”.
“Also, anybody who aids, abets, counsels or induces another person to commit an offence under the tax law, is liable on conviction to a fine equivalent to 400 percent of the sum in question and imprisonment for a term of one year”.
The Chairman challenged the leaderships of MDAs and Local Governments to carefully study, understand and apply this section of the law so as not to go against the law
He, however, charged the chairmen of the 17 LGA and MDAs to put more efforts into generating revenue internally to ensure that government’s plans and projects are beneficial to the people.
“PSIRS is poised to explore all areas expected of us to ensure that we generate good revenue that could enable the government fulfill its promises to the Plateau citizens”, he said.
On his part, The Chairman of the occasion and Vice Chancellor of the Plateau State University, Professor Yohanna Izam, disclosed that the theme for this year is: “Latent opportunities for MDAs and Local Governments in Plateau State to catalyze and deliver optimum revenue yield”.
He said the time has come for the state to diversify its economy for optimum performance and called on the citizens to key into government revenue strategies to enable it succeed.