The Executive Secretary of Tertiary Education Trust Fund, Sonny Echono, has called for collaboration between TETFund and the Nigeria Extractive Transparency Initiative to close the gaps in revenue payments made by the extractive industry to the Federal Government through the Federal Inland Revenue Service.
Architect Echono made the call during his working visit to the NEITI head office in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja on Wednesday.
He remarked that he was at the NEITI House to seek further collaboration with NEITI in the area of access to data, especially on what is accruable to TETFUND.
The TETFUND boss said: “There was need for clarity on tax compliance by extractive companies to ensure that they pay what they ought to pay, as well as revenue transparency on reporting to ensure that there are no gaps between companies’ payments and their disclosures to the FIRS.
“These pieces of information will enable TETFUND to expand its support for infrastructural development of tertiary institutions in Nigeria.”
Also Read:
- Akhaine billed to deliver LASU’s 103rd Inaugural Lecture
- Bisiriyu Olaoye: MURIC condoles Champion, NUJ
- Police nab security guard, one other for alleged burglary
- Akwa Ibom begins demolition of criminals’ hideouts
- Pa Adebanjo: A fearless freedom fighter, patriot, and statesman – Atiku
Echono added that TETFUND had confidence in the credibility of NEITI data.
In his response, the Director General of NEITI, Dr. Ogbonnaya Orji, said NEITI will support TETFUND in identifying and addressing gaps in compliance by extractive sector players, pointing out that by leveraging its expertise in financial auditing and revenue tracking, it would enhance accountability in the utilisation of education tax funds.
“To enhance decision-making, policy formulation and resource allocation to critical educational needs, partnership and technical support from TETFUND to complete the NEITI data centre would be a strategic investment,” Orji said.
Follow The Eagle Online Channel on WhatsApp
