The Executive Chairman of Benue Internal Revenue Services (BIRS), Mrs
Mimi Adzape-Orubibi has conceded that a percentage of the duties being
authorized on the masses by the state government are too high what's
more, not human inviting.
This statement came on the heels of public
opprobrium over unnecessary and unnecessarily
high taxes in the face of the state governments
inability to pay workers' salaries as at when due.
Mrs Orubibi said even though she inherited the tax
regime from her predecessor and even questioned
the relevance of some of them at first, she had to
test them on the public to get a response which
she now understands to be an outright rejection.
She therefore promised to use her office in
collaboration with other government agencies to
initiate the process of repeal of some of the laws
especially those concerning the tax on Boreholes
and gaseous emission from generators.
"Upon assumption of office, as the Executive
Chairman of Benue Internal Revenue Service (BIRS),
I did a thorough study of the Benue Revenue
Administration law as amended 2015 as well as
other relevant revenue laws. I noticed with
dismay, that some provisions of the law were not
quite people friendly. I first of all considered it
from my own point of view as a tax payer and
pondered on the rationale behind the payment of
some tax items. For instance, the tax on Boreholes
and gaseous emission from generators were
some of the tax items I have personally
questioned.
"However, being aware of my incapability to
amend laws, I have been making consultations and
liaising with relevant authorities towards the
amendment of the law. As for the tax on borehole
which is under Water Board, I have been
discussing with the Honourable Commissioner for
Water Resources and we have agreed to sponsor
the bill for its repeal.
"It is a truism, that some of the rates in the law
are too high, others too small and the ones on
Borehole and Gaseous emission on generators NOT
people friendly, as decried by taxpayers recently.
"Though, aware of the inhuman face of the
aforementioned tax items, I had to pass through
the process of verifiability through testing before
taking any step. This testing has indeed yielded a
result – outright rejection by the public.
"Worthy of mention is the fact that prior to the
passage of this law; inputs were made by various
Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) as
well as consultation with relevant stakeholders via
public hearing. These MDAs presented the revenue
items they were collecting on and the House of
Assembly captured all in the law. I hereby call on
all taxpayers to cooperate with the BIRS as she
moves to amend the state Revenue Law by
coming out in mass to align their voices with that
of the service when called upon for public
hearing." She stated.
Mimi Adzape-Orubibi has conceded that a percentage of the duties being
authorized on the masses by the state government are too high what's
more, not human inviting.
This statement came on the heels of public
opprobrium over unnecessary and unnecessarily
high taxes in the face of the state governments
inability to pay workers' salaries as at when due.
Mrs Orubibi said even though she inherited the tax
regime from her predecessor and even questioned
the relevance of some of them at first, she had to
test them on the public to get a response which
she now understands to be an outright rejection.
She therefore promised to use her office in
collaboration with other government agencies to
initiate the process of repeal of some of the laws
especially those concerning the tax on Boreholes
and gaseous emission from generators.
"Upon assumption of office, as the Executive
Chairman of Benue Internal Revenue Service (BIRS),
I did a thorough study of the Benue Revenue
Administration law as amended 2015 as well as
other relevant revenue laws. I noticed with
dismay, that some provisions of the law were not
quite people friendly. I first of all considered it
from my own point of view as a tax payer and
pondered on the rationale behind the payment of
some tax items. For instance, the tax on Boreholes
and gaseous emission from generators were
some of the tax items I have personally
questioned.
"However, being aware of my incapability to
amend laws, I have been making consultations and
liaising with relevant authorities towards the
amendment of the law. As for the tax on borehole
which is under Water Board, I have been
discussing with the Honourable Commissioner for
Water Resources and we have agreed to sponsor
the bill for its repeal.
"It is a truism, that some of the rates in the law
are too high, others too small and the ones on
Borehole and Gaseous emission on generators NOT
people friendly, as decried by taxpayers recently.
"Though, aware of the inhuman face of the
aforementioned tax items, I had to pass through
the process of verifiability through testing before
taking any step. This testing has indeed yielded a
result – outright rejection by the public.
"Worthy of mention is the fact that prior to the
passage of this law; inputs were made by various
Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) as
well as consultation with relevant stakeholders via
public hearing. These MDAs presented the revenue
items they were collecting on and the House of
Assembly captured all in the law. I hereby call on
all taxpayers to cooperate with the BIRS as she
moves to amend the state Revenue Law by
coming out in mass to align their voices with that
of the service when called upon for public
hearing." She stated.
COMMENTS