The Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria has been advised to evolve policies that would make taxation a pleasurable civic responsibility.

The acting Governor of Cross River State, Mr Efiok Cobham, gave the advice when Chief Asiwaju Jegede, the institute’s president led other members of the body on a courtesy visit to government house, Calabar.

Cobham said that the call became necessary because the nation needed to diversify its economy and reduce over dependence on hydro-carbon as a major source of federal revenue.

He said that a well-articulated tax policy was capable of generating revenue equivalent to what was currently derived from hydro-carbon.

Cobham said that Cross River Government decided to overhaul the Board of Internal Revenue (BIR) to make it more vibrant, effective and meaningful to state development.

He said the state government also embarked on capacity building for taxation officers and the introduction of automated tax system.

According to him the state government also acquired “the latest taxation software that will check corruption and engender cash-less economy on the state in line with current realities’’.

The acting governor said the state intended to use its internally generated revenue to run government while the federal allocation would be used for capital project.

He pointed out that the state had diversified into the development of tourism and agriculture where it had comparative advantage to achieve the anticipated socio-economic transformation.

Cobham expressed the hope that with the new regime of taxation, the needed revenue would be generated from tourism and the agriculture sector.

He also sought for technical assistance from the body for the state’s Board of Internal Revenue to enable it function optimally.

Cobham commended the council for choosing Cross River for its 2013 Annual General Meeting and promised to support the newly inaugurated body in the state.

Jegede had told Cobham that the body, established in 1982 and granted chattered status in 1992, had over the years advised the Federal Government and contributed to tax development ventures in all tiers of government.

He called for financial and administrative autonomy of the tax administration body in the country to enable it to perform effectively.

According to him bureaucratic bottlenecks often hindered smooth operations of tax system in Nigeria, adding that freedom from the ministry would make it more proactive and responsive.

He also called on the government to appoint and elevate the head of the agency to a cabinet cadre to enable the officer to be part of policy making process.

The president also advised the state House of Assembly to establish special committee on taxation separate from finance committee with clear mandate on tax matters.

He lauded the administrative style of Gov. Liyel Imoke of Cross River “for the giant strides recorded so far, especially in the area of tourism’’.

Jegede said the body would partner with Cross River in its quest to re-position its tax administration.