Protocols1. Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to welcome you to this occasion of the inauguration of the Management Board of Ekiti State Internal Revenue Service (EKIRS). 2. We are here today, to add the needed impetus to the functionality of Ekiti State Internal Revenue Service (EKIRS) in our continued quest to strengthen our Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) for optimal performance and to enhance the delivery of meaningful dividend of democracy to Ekiti-kete. Yesterday, I addressed all the Chairmen of the 36 Internal Revenue Services in Nigeria and the Honourable Commissioners of Finance at the NGF Annual Performing Workshop on IGRs in States. I made it clear how the Pandemic and Endsars protest had combined to give the country a perfect storm culminating in our second recession.3. The importance of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to the functionality of government cannot be overemphasized. IGR serves as the major tool for the implementation of social contract and infrastructural development within a State. It helps the government to be responsible in taking decisions needed to satisfy the basic needs of the people. IGR is important for budgeting and it is a powerful fiscal tool to direct and boost the economy. It goes a long way by providing the state with continuous growth and development to keep the society moving.4. In the days of oil boom, State Governmentsreceived robust allocation from the federation account. Unfortunately, the era of total dependant on Federal allocation by State Governments is gone due to the reality of the present dwindling and deteriorating nature of federal allocation. Considering the severe economic depression in Nigeria due to drop of oil price in the international oil market,Federal allocation accruing to State government has drastically dropped below what it used to be. 5. The onus is now on state governments to find ways of boosting the internally generated revenue to help increase the revenue available for the corresponding government expenditures. In order to facilitate this, most State Governments are now digitising their methods of revenue collection from the erstwhile manual collection methods. 6. As the State Government raises more revenue internally, it results in more commissioned projects, more money in circulation, more jobs and business opportunities and the standard of living improves. Most importantly, it serves as a tool for infrastructural development within the state. 7. The Board of Ekiti State Internal Revenue Service (EKIRS) is therefore, constituted to enhance the performance of Ekiti State Internal Revenue Service and boost the State Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). The autonomy granted the Ekiti State Internal Revenue Service (EKIRS) is not by happenstance but by deliberate and calculated efforts to maximize the potential of the service and its management. 8. The autonomy gives EKIRS both financial and administrative autonomy. The main purpose of granting autonomy to the Service and then the inauguration of its Board today is for a better and much more globally accepted way of Tax Administration in Ekiti State. This will most definitely change the face of revenue generation for the best in Ekiti State and create a lifelong legacy of Tax Administration Reform in our dear State. The autonomy is aimed at empowering EKIRS to professionalize tax administration in EkitiState and by implication increase the IGR of the State tremendously. As the Board of EKIRS, your main objectives are to drive and implement the autonomy.9. The Board EKIRS shall be responsible for: -(i) providing general policy guidelines regarding the function of the Internal Revenue Service and supervising the implementation of such policies;(ii) ensuring the effectiveness and optimum collection of all Revenue including levies and penalties due to the State Government under the relevant Federal and State Laws; (iii) doing all such things that may be deemed necessary and expedient for the assessment and collection of Revenue;(iv) accounting for all amounts so collected in a manner to be prescribed by the Governor;(v) making recommendations, where appropriate, to the Joint Tax Board on tax policy, tax reform, tax legislation, tax treaties and exemptions as may be required from time to time; (vi) appointing, promoting, transferring and imposing discipline on employees of the Internal Revenue Service;(vii) Making recommendations to the Government regarding the terms and conditions of employment and remuneration of staff of Internal Revenue Service.(viii) Controlling the management of the Internal Revenue Service on matters of policy, subject to the provisions of any regulations setting up the Internal Revenue Service; and(ix) Doing such other things as are in the opinion of the Board necessary to ensure the efficient performance of the functions of the Internal Revenue Service under this Law.10. The need to strengthen EKIRS with theinauguration of this Board is inevitable due to the current economic challenges confronting the entire world, Nigeria inclusive. As a responsible government, there is the need for us to take practical steps to boost the internally generated revenue (IGR) of Ekiti State which has continued to dwindle. 11. I call on you to explore ways of increasing the revenue profile of our dear State to fast-track more development to every nook and cranny of the State. We need not only collect taxes, but collect taxes efficiently and ensure that the taxes collected are all reflected in the coffers of Government and not in individuals’ accounts.12. I congratulate the members of this Board for being found worthy. You have been chosen out of many eminently qualified indigenes of Ekiti to serve our dear State in this capacity. Your selection is based on your integrity and impeccable character. I enjoin you to see the assignment as a clarion call to serve diligently. 13. You are expected to conform strictly with the law guiding EKIRS in the discharge of your duty. You should ensure that discipline is professionally entrenched in the Service, while sustaining the doctrines of accountability. The government and Ekiti people need your dedication, commitment and loyalty at thiscrucial time, to strengthen and boost our revenue. It is my fervent belief that you will justify the confidence reposed in each and every one of you.14. On this note, ladies and gentlemen, it is with honour and privilege that I formally inaugurate the Board of Ekiti State Internal Revenue Service (EKIRS) to the glory of God and benefit of our people.15. Alale Ekiti a gbe a o.
Dr. Kayode Fayemi, CON
Governor
