Ekiti State Government has announced government intention to commence the collection of Land Use Charge, LUC, in 2024.
Governor Biodun Oyebanji, said the property tax would not in any way be a serious burden to the residents of the state as it is going to be progressive.
In a one day dialogue on Tax for Service in Ekiti State, organised by the New Initiative for Social Development, NISD in collaboration with the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, with the support of the UK International Development, held in Ado-Ekiti, the stakeholders noted that taxes is compulsory for everyone to pay and that they are ready to pay.
The stakeholders including Market women, hoteliers, saw millers, etc urged the government to remove all bottlenecks which includes multiple taxation they are currently faced with in the country.
The DG, Signage and Advertisement Agency, Mr. Bisi Adesua, explained the processes involved in the payment of signage rate and what constituted advertisement in the state.
The SSA Tax and Revenue Matters, Mr. Ayodeji Adarabierin, told the stakeholders that the government wants to reduce the incidences of tax payers to the bearest minimum and make tax payment seamless for the people in the state.
Prof. Christopher Oluwadare, said tax and rates collection should be continent; there should be justification for tax payment, urging government to show transparency and accountability in the process.
The Saw millers urged the government to ensure that their officials are not enemies of the government, encouraging them to plant more trees to boost their business, saying they have over 300 saw millers in the state.
At the workshop, the Internal Revenue Service, IRS, Ekiti State, told the gathering that the state IGR has increased above N1 billion, saying they hope to work more on tax system payment in the coming year.
According to the government representatives at the workshop, the government would meet the newly elected local government chairmen after their swearing in ceremony to avoid duplication of taxes in the state.
The NISD Programme Officer, Feyisayo Olorunfemi, urged the stakeholders at the gathering to assist the government to be able to shore up its revenue generation in the state to be able to provide more community assistance for development.
Photos of stakeholders at the workshop:
