THE Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) on Wednesday urged the Federal and State Governments to employ the use of technology and data, as efficient means of improving tax collection in the country.
The National President of the institute, Chief Cyril Ikemefuna, said this during a courtesy visit to the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa, retired Rear Adm. John Jonah, at the Government House, Yenagoa.
Ikemefuna told Jonah that the visit was part of the body’s 2018 Bayelsa Mandatory Professional Training Programme (MPTP) holding in Bayelsa.
“The use of technology and data in improving tax collection cannot be overemphasised; this is the backbone of developed economies, which have high tax compliance rate.
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“I am happy that Bayelsa State Government is providing the needed support to the State Internal Revenue Service, in fulfilling its mandate of effective revenue administration.
“We urge you to assist us,” Ikemefuna said.
He urged the state government to provide the institute with land to enable it to construct a permanent structure in Bayelsa.
Jonah, who said on the occasion that without taxation Nigeria would not be able to survive, noted that the government was accountable to the people through taxation.
Jonah advised some of the multinational oil companies in the country to move their headquarters to Bayelsa and pay their taxes to the government.
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