Tax: ODIRS signs MoU with LGs

By Fatima Muraina.
|
Local government caretaker chairmen in Ondo State  and  the  State Internal Revenue Service (ODIRS) have  signed a  Memorandum of Understanding  on the collection of Radio and TV licence tax in the state.

The Chairman of the ODIRS Mr Tolu Adegbie  stated that  the revenue service will begin the collection of Radio and TV licence, which he said is an exclusive revenue item for the local government.

Adegbie, who noted that the local government had  faced the challenge of  collection in the  past, said it will be added to the payment of vehicle registration papers.

He said a designated account would be opened for the collection and that the local government would  have 80percent of the money, while the state will get only 20 percent.

According to him, the 20 percent for the state is meant  to cater for the administrative charges like printing of  materials and other documents for the collection.

The Permanent Secretary of the state Ministry of Finance, Mr Gbenga Adelayi, who represented the Commissioner for Finance at the event described the initiative as another landmark to increase the State IGR.

Adelayi appreciated the cooperation of the chairmen and the ODIRS, saying that if such synergy  continued, the positive effect  would make  the state rise to one of the world Giants.

The  Commissioner for of the Local Government and Chieftancy Affairs, Mrs Lola Fagbemi was excited about the development which she  said will bridge the leakages.

She observed that the ODIRS will control the project effectively,  urging the Chairmen to make use of the opportunity and  help sensitize the people at the grassroots.

The Chairman of Ifedore Local Government Area, who is also the ALGON Chairman, Engr. Alex Oladimeji, appreciated the IRS  for bringing the initiation to lime light.

Oladimeji said the local governments need more of suct developments because there are lots of leakage  areas to be addressed.