April 16, (THEWILL) – The Speaker of Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Abraham Ingobere, representing Brass consitituency 3, has tasked the new screened Chairman of Board of Internal Revenue, Dr Eniekezemene Daniel Esetebefa, that he has enormous responsibility to raise the IGR of the state and remit appropriately to the treasury.
According to the speaker, the internally generated revenue for any state is a supplementary source of income to the monthly statutory allocation.
The Speaker handed down this during the screening of Dr Eniekezemene, as nominated by Governor Douye Diri to serve as the chairman of the internal generated revenue to replace the former chairman, Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei, who was recently apointed as the Secretary of the State Government (SSG).
He said, it is a fact that Bayelsa State has a low internally generated revenue among the comity of states as the 30th in the country.
In his word, “it is mandatory that you enhance the revenue base by not undermining the tax payers ability to pay in order not to create further hardship.
“Obviously, having known your pedigree and career, we believe and have hope that you will bring your wealth of experience to bear in this your anticipated job. The Bayelsa state expectations are high in terms of increased internally generated revenue and remittances. Therefore, it is seen as a veritable avenue for both national and subnational government for revenue generation.”
Answering questions from some of the lawmakers about what he can do to jackup the revenue and to block leakages in the state, Dr Eniekezemene, said the attitude of the revenue collectors have to change towards investors. “A lot of companies are running away from Bayelsa because of arbitrary taxes. Except the matter is urgently addressed, the state will continue to loose revenue.”
As regards the blockage of leakages said, he will do what he can with the help of others to workout the modality of how to go about it. “For the way and manner some youths are collecting revenue in the state will be look into.
I will find out as soon as l assumed duty to know whether they have authority to collect revenue for the state.”
Speaking further, he said, to boost the IGR of the state, investors should be giving tax holidays and more friendly environment for investors. “Many investors are not coming to Bayelsa state because of the way they are being harassed by the revenue collectors and that have to be discouraged.”
Some of the lawmakers, who drilled the nominated Chairman include, Hon. Wisdom Fafi representing Kolokuma/Opokuma Constituency 2, Hon. Micheal Igbere representing Ekeremor Constituency 3, Hon. Monday Edwin Obolo, Leader of the House representing Southern Ijaw Constituency 2, Hon. Charles Daniel representing Brass consitituency 1 and Hon. Bernard Sunday Kenibai, representing Sagbama Constituency 2.
In her word of advice, Hon. Ebizi Ndiomu representing Sagbama Constituency 3 said the nominee should bring his wealth of experience to bear. “As a retired permanent secretary ministry of finance, in case your are cleared, try and make difference in the state IGR. Work with others in other to achieve results.”
Dr Eniekemene Daniel Esetebefa is from Ayamasa in Ekeremor Local government area of the state.
Amos Okioma is a Correspondent at THEWILL
