Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike has inaugurated the State’s Tax Appeal Commission to ensure taxable persons and entities comply with the relevant tax laws without hesitation.
The Governor gave the charge shortly after swearing-in the Rivers State Body of Tax Appeal Commissioners at Government House, Port Harcourt on Friday.
Commissioners sworn-in by the Governor are Justice Bennett Eke Ugbari (rtd), Chairman; Edwin Krukrubo, Owhonda Ihekwoaba Nobel and Mrs. Gift Sovins.
Wike asked them to focus on dealing with complaints arising from persons who do not want to pay their taxes.
Wike said taxes were important sources of revenues for any government to shore up fund to implement its development agenda.
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He said: “It is a very serious assignment at this period as regards to what is going on. So, I believe that you have to take this assignment as a call of duty from your state.
“No country can survive without taxes. And so, you will do all you can to support the government and the citizens to do what they’re supposed to do.
“I have confidence in you; the chairman, that you’ll be able to lead the members of the commission to do the right thing.”
Chairman of the Rivers State Body of Tax Appeal Commissioners, Justice Bennett Eke Ugbari (rtd) noted that Rivers needed to generate sufficient internal revenues to augment the statutory allocations it received from the federal government.
He said: “It is therefore, the intention of the commission to partner with other relevant tax authorities in Rivers State to generate adequate internal revenue for the State.
“In carrying out our assignment, the commission shall be guided by the principle of fair hearing, justice and equity. We shall ensure that there is proper assessment of taxes and that every tax payers in Rivers State pays adequate tax as required by the relevant tax laws.”
