Business
Reliance On Federation Allocation Hampers Internal Revenue Generation- RSG
The Rivers State Government has attributed the low internal revenue generating capacities among states to the reliance on federal allocation.
The Commissioner for Environment, Dr Nyema Weli who said this Tuesday in his office, while receiving the report of the Revenue Enhancement Committee set up by the ministry also said that it is criminal for people to evade taxes.
Dr Weli sadi that instead of relying on Federal Allocations, states need to look inward for ways of generating their revenues to meet their needs.
He also said that, the government need taxes to provide social amenities for the people, stressing that the Ministry of Environment will put in place institutional framework to ensure that all impediments to its revenue generation are removed.
The Commissioner described the 215 page report as a step in the right direction which he said will help to boost the internally generated revenue capacity of the state government.
“What you have done today is helping the government to put in place a process that will be used to improve the standard of living in the state,” he said.
Dr Weli further noted that the ministry will look into the possibility of reviewing all existing laws to enable them conform to modern realities.
The Chairman of the Committee, Dr Cletus Ama said that out of the 17 revenue sources of the ministry only eight are operational, while four are yet to be reactivated.
Dr Ama stressed the need for a review of all dredging and inland waterways as it concerns the state, while the ministry’s departments be given specific instruction on revenue collection.
He also called for mass sensitisation of the people on the need to co-operate with revenue agents, while enforcement of revenue collection be made proactive.