Expert Seeks Autonomy For States’ Internal Revenue Service

Mr Chukwuemeka Eze, Chairman, Publicity Committee of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), has expressed displeasure over the number of internal revenue authorities in states that are autonomous.

Eze told newsmen yesterday in Lagos that internal revenue boards in eight states were currently operating independently in the country.

He said that the CITN had written the 36 state governments on the need to grant their revenue authorities the freedom to operate.

“Only eight states out the 36 state governments in the country have honoured our letter to allow their revenue boards to be independent.

“The states are Lagos, Oyo, Edo, Adamawa, Bauchi, Enugu, Ekiti and Rivers,” he said.

Eze said that such autonomy would enable the tax authorities to perform optimally and unhindered.

He said that it was unprofessional for government to be directly involved in the administration of taxes.

Eze said that the CITN would not relent in its efforts to ensure that all the state governments allowed their revenue authorities to operate without interference.

He said that the autonomy would boost tax administration and also enhance efficiency.

“Government’s involvement in the management of revenue boards has made tax administration cumbersome in the country because they feel they can appoint whoever they want.

“Autonomy will enhance professionalism and improve revenue generation in the country,” he said.

Eze urged other state governments yet to grant autonomy to the SIRS to do so in the interest of the economy.