Dwindling revenue: Ooni harps on need to pay taxes, levies in Osun
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NIGERIA: IN a bid to shore up the shortfall in the revenue coming to the Osun State government from the Federation Account, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has enjoined the people of the state to regularly pay their taxes and levies.
The monarch disclosed this while receiving in his palace officials of the State Board of Internal Revenue, led by its chairman, Mr. Dayo Oyebamiji.
According to the first class traditional ruler, in advanced countries of the world payment of taxes and other levies are usually treated with the seriousness it deserves, adding that many nations of the world survive mainly on taxes.
The monarch averred that for government to provide basic infrastructural amenities, citizens must be prepared to play their roles by paying taxes and levies.
While warning the revenue collectors against sharp practices, Oba Ogunwusi urged them to be transparent in the tax collection system.
Earlier, Oyebamiji had commended the monarch for his effort towards enhancing unity among the Yoruba people.
He stressed that people must not treat the issue of tax payment with levity, saying that it would be helpful if prominent people could help to sensitize the public, especially farmers, market women, small and large scale industry owners on the need to pay their taxes and levies.
Oyebamiji said that Ooni had contributed to series of measures that would see the state record better result in its revenue generation drive.
- By Temitope Kayode-Adedeji
