Payment of taxes, not punishment – Uduaghan

The Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, has stated that payment of taxes by individuals and organisations was not a form of punishment by government.
Uduaghan, who said this at the weekend when he inaugurated the reconstituted State Board of Internal Revenue in Asaba, the state capital, explained that individuals and organisations should not see the collection of taxes by government as a form of punishment but as their civil and moral responsibility to the development of their society.
He emphasised that government was only enforcing the laws as entrenched in the constitution and charged Nigerians to pay their taxes regularly so as to sustain infrastructural development in all sectors of the economy.
According to him: “The payment of taxes is not a form of punishment on citizens but a civic and moral responsibility, which all citizens should willingly exercise.
“We should all pay our taxes and expect returns on the taxes through sustained tempo of the provision of infrastructure in all sectors of the economy.
“In all societies, taxes are necessary to prop government’s revenue and shore up its expenditure, especially now that the world is coming to terms with the dire consequences of global economic meltdown.”
Governor Uduaghan, who commended the Board of Internal Revenue for the increase in the average monthly internally generated revenue from N1.2 billion to N5.7 billion, urged the newly inaugurated Board to explore all untapped sources of revenue in the state so as to boost the state’s finances.
He enjoined them to critically look at all avenues of collectible revenues to beef up the state’s finances, explaining that the revenue from Federation Account was fluctuating and was dependent on the vagaries of the international oil market, which was not good for developmental planning.
He emphasized that the time had come to diversify the economy of the country.
His words: “This board plays a very vital role in the financial health of the state since we cannot fold our hands and wait for whatever accrues from the Federal Account.
“We have to critically look at all avenues of collectible revenue to beef up the state’s finances, especially as that of the Federation Account is dependent on the vagaries of the international oil market.
“Oil is a finite commodity and can get exhausted anytime.
“We have to plan properly and diversify our economy so that we can be insulated from the vagaries of oil price fluctuation.”
The governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to provide basic socio-economic infrastructure development to enhance the actualization of the “Delta Beyond Oil” initiative.
He commended Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi for his vast investment profile in the tourism, educational and manufacturing sectors in the state.
He called on prominent and well-to-do Deltans to come and invest in the state as government has provided a conducive environment for investors.
Governor Uduaghan commended the members of the Board of Internal Revenue for their outstanding work during their last tenure and charged them to work harder and explore other sources of revenue with a view to increase the state’s internally generated revenue and not to rest on their oars.
According to him: “The reward of hard work is more work…..
“I urge you to look more closely at ways of improvement rather than relaxing, because you can perform better.
“Do not dwell so much on your challenges.
“It is your ability to subdue your challenges and achieve positive results that makes you great men.
“You are already on the right path.”
The Chairman, Delta State Board of Internal Revenue, Hon. Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, thanked Governor Uduaghan for finding the members worthy for re-appointment to the Board.
Thomas stated that the Board would fiercely pursue the Delta Beyond Oil Initiative and would also tackle some of the challenges the Board faced.
Thomas pledged the Board’s loyalty and commitment to the improvement of the state’s internally generated revenue through hard work and fairness in delivering their duties.
Members of the inaugurated Delta State Board of Internal Revenue include Hon. Joel- Onowakpo Thomas, Chairman; Chief Thompson Otiti Ovwere; Chief Frank Nwugo; and Barrister Austin None Oboroegbeyi