We’ll support policies that will bring development to communities—Ooni of Ife

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8 years ago

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi (middle), with members of Osun Internal Revenue Service (OIRS), when they visited the traditional ruler at his palace in Ile-Ife, Osun State, recently.

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has said that he and his subjects would support any policy introduced by Governor Rauf Aregbesola that will bring development to Osun State.

Oba Ogunwusi stated this at his palace when members of Osun Internal Revenue Service (OIRS) came to introduce the new development levy to the people of Ile-Ife.

The traditional ruler said that tax payment is the key to economic survival of the state, urging people of the state to imbibe the culture of tax payment.

Explaining the new levy to the people of Ile-Ife, the chairman of OIRS, Mr.Dayo Oyebanji, said tax payment remained the only viable option to fast-track infrastructural development in the state.

He said the levy became necessary due to dwindling allocation from the Federation Account.

According to Oyebanji, whatever is generated in each community would be recorded and used to develop such community.

He said motorcycle/tricycle/korope would attract N50 daily, while tipper/trailer and other heavy-duty trucks would pay N200 daily.

“Traders would pay N50 on market days while artisans (barbers, carpenters, bricklayers, among others, would pay N100 weekly,” he said.

He, however, urged the traditional ruler, the people of Ile-Ife and environs to cooperate with the government in order to take the state to a higher level.

Also speaking, the consultant on Development Levy, Mr. Solanke Hamzat, noted that the levy is different from the local government levy traders pay on market days.

He added that the state government would not relent in its efforts at executing projects that would better the lot of the people.

In their responses, the people urged the government to harmonise the levies.

Speaking further, Oba Ogunwusi urged the revenue body to set up another platform where people at the grassroots would be properly educated.

“We are ready to support the government but I’m advising you to have a proper dialogue with concerned associations in Ile-Ife so as to succeed in the task,” the traditional ruler said.