By Law Ibitoye
Chairman, Ekiti State Internal Revenue Services, Mr Olaniran Olatona has charged Ekiti Journalists, lawyers, law enforcement agents and other government officials to obtain valid documents for their vehicles and adhere strictly to rules and regulations of the agency.
The Chairman gave the charge when the leadership of Nigeria Union of Journalists, Ekiti State Council paid him a courtesy visit in his office on Thursday. Appreciating journalists for projecting the government in a good light, Olatona said media is a veritable tool for development.
He said that internal revenue services are really working to generate more funds for the government with the aim of providing more social amenities for the masses.” What my agency is making is not enough to meet up with government plans for Ekiti people, hence we need to do more to generate more funds. It will be double standard for me to bend the rules for relevant stakeholders like your union, if any person runs foul of the rules no matter how highly placed such person might be, he/she will pay for it”
While assuring the masses of friendly environment for doing business in the state, he said the agency’s charges are moderate. He called on individuals and corporate bodies to pay necessary charges as and when due for them to enjoy more dividends of democracy.
The Revenue Services boss in the State, assured journalists of cordial working relationship in the areas of sensitization towards boosting the revenue generation of the state.
Earlier, the chairman, Nigerian Union of Journalists, Ekiti State Council, Comrade Kayode Babatuyi, has commended the Revenue Services for increasing the Internally Generated Revenue of the State while admonishing the agency to upscale its awareness and enlightenment on tax payment, land use charge and other relevant laws that would make Ekiti State more viable financially.
He pledged the union’s support for Governor Oyebanji’s administration and the agency in the area of enlightenment.
“I commend Governor Oyebanji’s giant strides in all facets of governance, he is rapidly transforming Ekiti state and it behooves on NUJ to support him by using our platforms to project the state government activities and to enlighten the masses on their civic responsibilities as good citizen of Ekiti state and Nigeria at large”.
Babatuyi also urged the management of Ekiti Revenue Services to train relevant stakeholders including journalists on the importance of land use act and other relevant laws .
In attendance were management staff of the Agency.