Borno inaugurates revenue committee to meet N28 billion IGR

The Borno state government has inaugurated a high-powered Joint Revenue Committee (BOJRC) with representatives of councils and ministries of finance and justice to meet this year’s Internally Generated Revenues of N28 billion.

Inaugurating the committee on Thursday in Maiduguri, the Permanent Secretary/Chairman of Borno State Internal Revenue Services (BSIRS), Alhaji Kolomi Mutah said that the committee’s task was to work towards installing a vibrant tax system to achieve socio-economic objectives

of government.
He said that Governor Kashim Shettima’s approvals to establish and the inauguration of the committee also recognizes that; “taxation is a critical component of the business of government at all levels.”

His words: “Under the Nigerian tax system; each State of the Federation is to establish a State Joint Revenue Committee. This is in accordance with section 92 of the Personal Income Tax Act, (PITA).

The functions of the State Joint Revenue Committee as contained in Section 93 of PITA is to implement decisions of the Joint Tax Board (JTB).

He said the committee is also to advise the JTB and the State and Local Government on revenue matters; and meet this year’s IGR target of N28 billion.

“The task before you today is to harmonise tax administration in Borno state, while members of the public are fully enlightened on State and Local Governments revenue matters. You’re also to carry out other functions as may be assigned to this committee by the JTB,”

Mutah said on terms of reference of the revenue committee

.
He said the revenue committee, could also democratize tax policy and administration by extending to the grassroots for participation in tax formulation and reduction of multiples taxation in Borno state tax system.

Mutah further explained: “This arrangement will also reduce friction on tax matters between the State and Local Governments as well as reduce incidence of tax evasion and avoidance; thereby widening the tax base in our state. The committee will serve as a forum for the Local Government staff to exchange ideas on meeting this year’s

revenue target of N28 million.”
He also reminded the committee members that PITA in section 90 provided for the establishment of the Local Government Revenue Committee which shall be responsible for the assessment, collectio and accounting for all taxes and rates.

He urged the 27 councils to inaugurate their revenue committees as amatter of policy and urgency to meet revenue targets.

He however noted that because of Boko Haram insurgency in 16 council areas of Borno state, revenue is not expected, as their business outfits and shops were destroyed in the last six years.

“This revenue committee, is not expecting any revenue from our three zonal offices, including the 16 destroyed communities, because most of the displaced persons have fled to Maiduguri and Biu to take refuge,”Mutah said.