Tax Reform: Enugu State Stands Out, Sets Pace With E-ticket- ESIRS Chair
Chairman, Enugu State Internal Revenue Service(ESIRS), Mr Emmanuel Nnamani says Enugu State government has innovated a tax collection system that saves tax-payers the spendings of multiple taxation.
Speaking with newsmen in Enugu on Monday, Nnamani debunks claims at some sections of the state that the government is aggressive in taxation, describing it as a fallacy.
“Currently, Enugu has the most friendly tax environment especially in the informal sector. One of the things Enugu is known for in tax matter is the e-ticket.
“This e-ticket is a unified tax collection or what we call the consolidated tax collection— government bringing all its agencies into one platform. This means that once someone in the informal sector pays for the e-ticket, nobody comes to disturb them about tax again.
“This innovation has made Enugu a very friendly tax environment where by you know what you’ve to pay, pay it and go about your business”, the ESIRS boss explained.
He further explained that the formal sector is also corporately captured in the one-stop-shop tax collection system through issuance of demand notice to the payer which according him must be in compliance with the gazetted rates by the Service.
ESIRS Chair, Emmanuel Nnamani In a Chat With Journalists
“For those in the formal sector, we’ve deployed what is called consolidated demand notice that you don’t need to pay land use act, ESWAMA and others differently. This single demand notice contains all these fees and you know exactly what you’re supposed to pay at each given time and in doing this, we’ve eliminated the actions of touts and other non state actors”, he said.
The state revenue Chief noted that the government under Governor Peter Mbah is mindful of the business comfort of investors “for that reason it’s designed in such a way that you can pay monthly, quarterly or every six months as arranged with the collection agency.
“You’ve this opportunity because the essence of economy existing is for business to exist. If the business doesn’t exist, nobody will pay you the tax. In everything we’re doing, we’re do careful because it’s the business that propels tax revenue growth.
“Thus, the claim that our tax is affecting business isn’t true because our tax is made very flexible and you can negotiate how you want to pay it. We allow this flexibility because our environment is known for business and the current administration will continue to encourage businesses to grow.”
He urged the people of the state to see tax as part of their contribution to the growth of the economy and overall development of the state and not a punitive exercise by the government.
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Sam Udekwe is a journalist working in the News and Current Affairs department, Enugu State Broadcasting Service (ESBS) Enugu. He is well trained in all genres of journalistic venture.
Mr Sam read Mass Communication, graduating all with Distinction in National Diploma, Higher National Diploma and Postgraduate Diploma at IMT, Enugu and Madonna University, Okija, Anambra state, while he is presently on his M.Sc programme also in Mass Communication, at National Open University of Nigeria.
He is currently the NUJ Chairman, Enugu state.
samowailo@gmail.com
