Gov Eno seeks CITN-AKIRS collaboration to enhance revenue officers’ capacity development
• Akwa Ibom Commissioner for Economic Development, Sir Emem Bob (sitting 4th right) & other participants at the opening of the CITN Retreat in Uyo, on Thursday
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has called on the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) to join forces with the Akwa Ibom State Internal Revenue Service (AKIRS) to enhance the capacity development of AKIRS revenue officers and intensify tax sensitization and awareness campaigns throughout the state.
By doing so, Eno said his administration hoped to generate more revenue to support his administration’s ARISE Agenda, without burdening taxpayers with new taxes.
Governor Eno made the appeal during the opening of the 2024 Council Retreat and 179th Meeting of the CITN Governing Council.
The event, held at the Villa Hilton Hotel and Apartments in Uyo, had the theme ‘Making CITN the Professional Institute of Choice: Strategies and Options’.
Represented by the Commissioner for Economic Development, Sir Emem Bob, the Governor highlighted his administration’s commitment to expanding the tax net through extensive sensitization campaigns.
To facilitate ease of doing business, the Governor said his administration established a committee to review and harmonize state taxes, eliminating multiple taxation to boost internally generated revenue while easing the burden on taxpayers.
Governor Eno urged CITN to collaborate with Akwa Ibom State University to introduce a degree program in taxation, following the successful implementation in other Nigerian states.
The President of CITN, Mr. Samuel Agbeluyi, in his opening address, emphasized the institute’s dedication to staying ahead of challenges and offering solutions to the government at both federal and state levels.
Similarly, the Executive Secretary of the Joint Tax Board, Mr. Olusegun Adesokan, praised CITN’s influential role in shaping tax policies and practices in Nigeria.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of AKIRS, Mr. Okon Okon, described the CITN’s retreat’s theme as timely, given the country’s economic and social challenges.
Okon expressed confidence that the conference would produce valuable propositions and actionable strategies for CITN to become the professional institute of choice in Nigeria.
Addressing journalists during the meeting on concerns about tax evasion, the CITN boss, Mr. Agbeluyi stressed the importance of bringing wealthy individuals into the tax net, allowing them to contribute to the society that supported their success.
Agbeluyi said while CITN collaborates with the government to formulate revenue-generating policies, they are cautious about burdening taxpayers with increased rates or new taxes.
“Nigeria is going through a difficult and turbulent experience and we must all come together. Taxation is within the fiscal policy realm and as an institute we keep advising the government as to the policies, and strategies required to generate more revenues”, he said.
Photos of the Retreat:
