“I remember one of the witty but wisdom-laden sayings of the hero of our current democratic dispensation. The man that the stadium in which this event is taking place is named after, Aare MKO Abiola. He once said: “No one can clap with one hand”. The task of building our future is a collective task. It is beyond what I alone can shoulder or the team that will work with me in government. Rather, it is an Aaro that we owe each other.” This was pulled from the inaugural speech of the Ogun State governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, when he was being sworn into office on 29th May, 2019 at MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta. What remains striking and unforgettable with regards to that address, was the sincerity and humility of Mr. Governor, in recognising that a tree can not make a forest. For Abiodun, combined efforts of all was essential, in driving the required development; – an undying desire of every citizen and resident of the state. In this regard, both the government and the governed, leaders and followers; have roles to play in the legitimate quest for development. and until each party recognises their roles and played it as expected, growth would for ever remain a mirage! In other words, when both the governed and the government both play their part, there will be all-round development for all to enjoy as dividend of democracy.
Government at all levels, as a matter of fact, is expected to provide the parameters for everyday behaviour of citizens, protect them from outside interference (security) and provide for their well-being and happiness which include, good road network, schools, hospitals, housing, portable water, among others. In its traditional attitude of ‘’walk the talk’’, especially with sustained efforts at ensuring that campaign promises are kept, the administration of Prince Dapo Abiodun had since inception been working assiduously to ensure provision of good governance through even distribution of dividend of democracy that cut across all nooks and crannies of the state be it urban or rural areas. Premised on its ISEYA mantra, the government has rehabilitated and reconstructed roads, (both major and link) across the state to enhance traffic flow and transportation system. It embarked on the construction of solar-panelled borehole and rehabilitation of dams to improve water supply. It has also funded the Provision of Ambulances to provide 24-hours emergency services and renovated Primary health care centres across the state. Other major achievements of the administration include Affordable housing, provision of fire tenders and renovation of fire stations, renovation of school buildings and provision of classroom furniture, empowerment for unemployed youth and women among others.
One major role expected of the governed if these major strides must continue, is for them to contribute their own quota, in an attempt to garner sufficient resources required to implement developmental projects. This can only come from voluntary compliance to payment of taxes. At a Virtual Consultative meeting with representatives of the Ogun East Senatorial District on the 2021-2023 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and 2021 Budget, Governor Abiodun solicited for support of citizens in ensuring that they discharge their civic duties which is basically payment of relevant taxes as and when due. At that interaction, the governor disclosed that the State Budget would be financed primarily by revenue generated internally, considering the decline in Federal allocation. “Despite the steep declines in revenue from the Federation Account, we shall rely more on our Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) from Ogun State Internal Revenue Service (OGIRS) and other revenue sources. While being mindful of the need to avoid unnecessary tax burden on our citizens, we appeal to them to continue to support us by discharging their civic duties in our joint task of building the state of our future together, we shall continue to give utmost priority to capital project investments in Education, Health and Infrastructure sectors” the governor said.
To achieve the task of building our dear state to enviable heights among the comity of states, all hands must be on deck, through the payment of taxes which is the only sure way for government to get resources to fund its developmental projects. To achieve this vision of voluntary tax compliance, the Ogun state Internal Revenue Service, the agency saddled with revenue generation in the state, held a 20 km Tax sensitization and Health walk in the state capital, Abeokuta, To create awareness and remind citizens of their roles and contributions, in fulfilling this pledge to build the state together, in conjunction with the present administration. The walk witnessed distribution of Tax enlightenment fliers, showcasing projects executed by the government through taxpayers money to citizens. In addition, Taxpayers had opportunity to interface with Tax Officers, including the Executive Chairman of the service, Mr Olugbenga Anthony Olaleye. The interaction provided an avenue to shed light on grey areas of doubt, as it concerns payment of various taxes.
The chairman also affirmed that voluntary Tax compliance was inevitable, if citizens were serious about bringing to realisation their consistent confession of this collective task of building the state together. He pointed out that all resident taxable adult are expected to pay their taxes as and when due putting into consideration the fact that government put on ground amenities that assist taxpayers in carrying out their day to day business seamlessly like good roads, conducive business environment, good school, portable water, etc. One of such taxes, payable by all taxable adults into government coffers, is the Personal Income Tax; backed by Personal Income Tax Act Section 2 (2) CAP P8, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004; which clearly states that employers of labour must deduct the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) of their staff and remit appropriately to the state of residence of their staff on or before 10 days after salaries are paid, failure which attract a penalty of 10 per cent of the amount and interest at the prevailing commercial rate.
According to the Executive Chairman of OGIRS, many of the employers of labour in the state do not remit as expected to the OGIRS while many do remit later than the due date, despite the fact that the tax had been deducted from their employees before paying their monthly salary. When this kind of attitude continues, there will be paucity of fund for government to implement its developmental projects.
To warn employers of labour against the flagrant disobedience of these regulations, and subsequent enforcement and penalty, OGIRS embarked on exercises to check on employers who are defaulters, by posting Non-compliance stickers on their premises.
Other taxes include Direct Assessment paid directly by business owners, artisans, etc.
So, as the government is striving to play its role, the governed must complement government efforts geared towards achieving the desired growth physically and economically. This is the least that can be expected of anyone worth the toga of being tagged a responsible citizen of the state. Just as the motto of the present administration says, “Building Our state is a collective Task” and the Yoruba version says Ïgbega Ipinle Ogun, Ajose gbogbo wa ni”.
In conclusion, Payment of relevant taxes by all taxable resident adults in the state is the only sure way government can be encouraged and supported to take the state to the desired level. Let us all Join hands to build Ogun State, through voluntary tax compliance.
- Ogunlami is of the Ogun State Internal Revenue Service
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