The Cross River State Ministry of Local Government Affairs has pledged stronger collaboration with the Nigeria Revenue Service to enhance revenue mobilisation and improve tax remittances across the state’s local government councils.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Ntunkae Offiong Ani Offiong, gave the assurance on Monday while representing the Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Chief Victor-Felix Idem, when she received a delegation from the Nigeria Revenue Service, Abuja, on a courtesy visit to the Ministry.
The delegation, led by the Director, Government Business Department, Abuja, Dr. Mustapha Akaje, was at the Ministry to seek stronger collaboration on efficient revenue mobilisation, tax compliance and remittances across the local government councils.
Offiong Ani Offiong disclosed that the Ministry had recently held an engagement with Directors of Finance and Supplies (DFS) from the various local government councils to discuss issues surrounding the remittance of taxes to the appropriate government quarters.
She assured the delegation that the Ministry would invite representatives of the Nigeria Revenue Service to future meetings with local government council executives, providing an opportunity for both parties to interface directly and strengthen mechanisms for improved revenue collection and remittance.
The Permanent Secretary emphasised the need for 100 per cent compliance in revenue reporting, noting that timely and accurate reporting would strengthen the efficiency and effectiveness of revenue mobilisation across the councils.
“When you do something at the nick of time, things are resolved,” she said, stressing the importance of addressing revenue-related issues promptly.
Earlier, Dr. Akaje described the visit as a national assignment aimed at strengthening collaboration with state and local government authorities on revenue mobilisation and tax remittances.
He commended the Ministry for its strategic partnership and solicited stronger cooperation to improve revenue collection and remittances, noting that increased revenue mobilisation would contribute to addressing some of the socio-economic challenges facing the country.
Akaje specifically called for the support of local government authorities in strengthening the remittance of taxes payable by contractors to government coffers.
Also speaking, the Head of the Government Audit Office, Mr. Odii Ene M., appealed to the Ministry to intervene in the issue of outstanding debts from vendors by sensitising them on their tax obligations and the need to remit applicable taxes to the appropriate government authorities.
He said greater awareness and compliance among vendors would help improve tax remittances and ensure that government revenue due from contractors and service providers was properly accounted for.
The delegation included Mr. Space Salami, Director, Government Business Department, Abuja; Mr. Haliu Haruna, Assistant Director, Tax Office, Abuja; Mr. D. N. Uchegbu, Assistant Director, Taxpayers Office, Calabar; Mrs. Modey Jane and Dr. Ofem Jesam.
Officials of the Ministry present at the meeting included the Director of Administration, Mr. Emmanuel Edim Akunobor; Director of Accounts, Okpewuru Kanu; and Director, JAAC Department, Mr. Jacob Udie.
By Mary Okon
