The Minister of the Nigerian Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello, has challenged stakeholders and all revenue generating Secretariats, Departments and Agencies in the Federal Capital Territory to harmonize the process of tax collection to avoid multiplication of tax payable by the residents and corporate entities in the Territory.
The Minister said that a reformed tax administration that would harmonize tax collections would not only end multiple taxation but would also encourage the establishment and growth of Small and Medium Enterprises in the nation’s capital.
Bello, who was represented by the FCT Permanent Secretary, Olusade Adesola, gave the charge at the Stakeholders Resolution Retreat on Harmonization of Revenue Collection and Ease of Doing Business in FCT, held Thursday, at Akure, the Ondo State capital.
He said that the FCT Administration has over the years embarked on reform programmes that would encourage the harmonization of tax system and promote the Ease of Doing Business to allow Small and Medium Scale Enterprises as well as other businesses to strive in a friendly environment created by the government.
Implemented Reforms
The Minister disclosed that some of the reforms being implemented include the automated platforms for the issuance of permit, licenses and approvals known as the FCT business portal, which allows businesses and individuals to apply for and receive all necessary permits and licenses in Realtime without physical contact with any government officials.
He stated that the FCT Administration was assiduously working on streamlining and simplifying the regulations and procedure for Business Registration, Property Registration and Land Use planning.
According to him, these reforms will assist to create a more transparent and efficient regulatory environment for businesses in the FCT in order to encourage growth and rapid development of the city.
His words: “We need the active participation and engagement of businesses, investors and civil society organizations to ensure that our reforms are effective, inclusive and perhaps, above all sustainable.”
While declaring the event opened, the Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, said the event was historic and significant because it would equip the participants with the knowledge and skills required for effective tax administration and would also enable them to know about the tax regime being implemented by the Ondo State Government.
The Governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Finance, Wale Akinterinwa, commended the FCT Administration for the choice of Ondo State as the venue for the Retreat.
In a paper presentation during the technical session “tagged agenda setting”, the Permanent Secretary, Olusade Adesola, said that the current state of revenue collection in the FCT is a critical topic for discussion at this Retreat because it will provide the foundation for any efforts aimed at harmonizing revenue collection.
Adesola bemoaned the present revenue collection in the FCT which carried out by different revenue generating agencies within the FCTA, the six Area Councils, and FCT-IRS.
He said each of the Agencies had it’s own specific mandate for revenue collection; therefore, leading to a significant degree of overlap and duplication across the Agencies.
Earlier in his welcome address, Acting Executive Chairman, FCT-IRS, Haruna Abdullahi, said the retreat was a pathway towards achieving its vision to establish a world-class revenue collection system in the FCT that was transparent, accountable, and efficient.
He noted that the stakeholders have made significant progress since the previous retreats, and are now ready to take the next steps towards achieving a harmonized revenue collection system that was efficient, transparent, and fair.
The Chairman who revealed that the administration was doing well in revenue generation, hinted that with the continued support from the office of the Honorable Minister, Permanent Secretary and other relevant stakeholders in revenue agencies within the administration, FCTA would continue to complete favourably in area of revenue generation amongst the committee of nation across the globe.
Among dignitaries at the retreat are the Chairmen of the FCT Area Councils, top FCTA management Staff, FCT-IRS staff, heads of revenue and finance departments of the Councils.
Confidence Okwuchi
