MARIS LECTURE: REMARKS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, SENATOR IFEANYI ARTHUR OKOWA, THE GOVERNOR OF DELTA STATE, AT THE 2021 EDITION OF MARIS ANNUAL PUBLIC SERVICE LECTURE HELD AT THE UNITY HALL, GOVERNMENT HOUSE, ASABA, DELTA STATE, ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31, 2021
I am happy to be here for the 2021 edition of Maris Annual Public Service Lecture. This year’s lecture is particularly germane as it touches on the all-important issue of internally generated revenue. This in turn, has to do with tax administration, which remains a recurring decimal in matters of revenue generation both at the State and Federal levels.
2. The importance of internally generated revenue to the running of government is too obvious to be subjected to debate. The performance of tax administration is equally an important factor that has influence on the scores of other categories of governance, especially that of revenue sufficiency.
3. It is heart-warming that the first Maris Annual Lecture is focusing on the theme: Effective Tax Administration For The Delivery Of Democratic Dividends. This theme is quite timely and appropriate as it will serve to draw attention to the critical role of effective tax administration in the entire revenue generation, availability of resources and how they can be garnered.
4. Ladies and gentlemen, there is no doubt that increased internally generated revenue remains the most reliable means of bridging the gap arising from the challenges of dwindling revenue from the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee and the ability of the States to stay afloat and be able to meet competing demands of both the States and the Federal government. There are three criteria for effective tax administration: Equity, simplicity, and efficiency. These criteria are generally recognized as making taxes fairer. On top of that, taxes should be impartial and just.
5. A good tax administration system itself serves as a means towards the redistribution of wealth, as does social spending on programmes designed to overcome poverty and inequality. Hence it should however be noted that the tax regime should not overburden the very poor citizens, who are trying to eke out daily living. The system should rather identify the affluent group who more often than not, are unwilling or reluctant to pay taxes. To expand the revenue base, this class of citizens should be identified and incorporated through reform strategies to ensure increased internally generated revenue. But in doing so, a conscious effort should be made not to overcharge.
6. There is no doubt that to deliver democracy dividends, government needs additional revenue to finance its programmes, especially in respect of infrastructure: roads, electricity, water, education, health, among others. I sincerely encourage companies, individuals and relevant organizations, to pay taxes promptly, because government needs the internally generated funds to deliver on its promises to the people. Every government needs money to perform civil obligations and running of the State.
7. Once again, I commend Maris Trust Council for this initiative. It is my sincere hope that God will give you the enablement to sustain this lecture series. I implore the guest lecturer and panel of discussants to properly x-ray the issues and come up with fresh ideas in the shape of contemporary responses on how best to improve tax administration.
8. It is now my pleasure to formally declare the 2021 Maris Annual Lecture open.
9. I wish you all, very fruitful deliberations.
10. Thank you and may God bless us all.
Office of the Governor,
Government House, Asaba.
31 March, 2021
