OGUN HONOURS FAITHFUL TAXPAYERS
Adetokunbo Fakeye
Ogun State Government on Thursday honoured some organizations and groups it adjudged to be most faithful in the payment of taxes in 2013 year with a firm pledge by Governor Ibikunle Amosun to faithfully utilize all taxes collected in the state.
At a ceremony held at the Hubert Ogunde Cultural Centre, Kuto, Nestle Nig. Plc was presented with the Overall Best Tax-Payers Award, while the award of the Most Responsive Tax Payers (Corporate) was given to Lafarge Nig. Plc. The state award for the Most Responsive Tax Payers Award(Individual) was equally given to chief Jide Jones.
At the event tagged “A Day with the Governor,” with the theme, ‘partnering towards re-building an enabling environment’, Governor Amosun stated that the landmark achievements recorded in various sectors by the administration in less than three years was principally due to the payment of taxes and levies by the taxpayers, noting that, fund constraints was one of the major challenges of governance which could hinder good course.
He praised Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos for giving effect to the operations of the Residency Rule law which he said has greatly assisted the Internally Generated Revenue of the state.
The governor was equally grateful to several companies and organisations which have employees residing in Ogun state territory who he said have shown exemplary level of cooperation and compliance in the area of tax remittance.
He challenged ‘’the non-complying organisations to brace up and do what is expected and legal.’’
According to Governor Amosun, “Although, a lot still needs to be done in the area of tax remittance. But, I must place on record, the cooperation that we have received from the Government and Governor of Lagos State, my brother Babatunde Raji Fashola for allowing the operation of the Residency Rule law. There are several other companies and organisations that have shown an exemplary level of cooperation and compliance in this area of remittance of tax to Ogun State, where their employees live.
“We must also note that there are still several others who are yet to fully comply or yet to comply at all. We are urging such organisations, companies or agents to please brace up and do what is expected and legal. The position of the law is very clear in this regard. They need to do the needful and the legal.
“The State Government has made it easier for companies operating within and outside the State but as long as the employees are resident in Ogun State, they should remit their taxes to Ogun State.
“Let me assure you with all seriousness that we will not mismanage your fund. All taxes paid will be judiciously used for the benefit of the state and to create wealth for our people at large. You are already seeing what we are using your tax for but I want to assure you that your money, your tax will not be stolen. It will be used for the general good of the people of Ogun State,” Amosun said.
The Governor further revealed that his administration inherited a tax bar of N730million in 2011 adding that the government has so far raised the IGR to N4billion as at March 2013.
He added that “forty-three mega companies with about two hundred dollars financial base have arrived this state in less than three years which has made us the largest industrial base in the country today.’”
Speaking earlier, the Chairman, Ogun State Internal Revenue, Babajide Odubanjo, said government will continue to be responsive to its responsibilities in its quest to achieve a new Ogun, noting that, the permanent tax payers card recently introduced by the Amosun-led administration has helped a great deal in making tax payment easier.
Responding on behalf of the Overall Best 2013 Tax payers of the State, Dr Samuel Adenekan of Nestle Nigeria Plc said, “Ogun State is very dear to us as it is the Gateway to Africa’s biggest economy and the world’s fastest growing economy,”adding, “we will always support the vision of Governor Amosun in his re-building mission.”
Other awardees included Lafarge Nigeria Plc which clinched the Most Responsive Tax payers(Corporate), while Jide Jones went home with the Most Responsive Tax payers 2013(Individual),and the Most Responsive Microfinance Bank 2013 went to Lavender Microfinance while Late Alhaji Fatai Gbemisola of FatGbems Limited won the Post Humous Award.