THE harmonised fees and levies for the oil and gas downstream sector in Delta State, was designed to discourage multiple taxation by government agencies on business entities, Chairman, Delta State Internal Revenue Service (DSIRS), Sir Monday Onyeme has said.
Speaking at a meeting with representatives of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) in Warri on Tuesday, Onyeme stated that the Delta State Internal Revenue Service Consolidation Law 2020 (as amended), provides a conducive environment for businesses to thrive without unnecessary disruptions by revenue officials.
The chairman who was represented by Secretary to the Revenue Board, Chief Mike Edegware, explained that government was not desirous of increasing the tax burden of the people as was amply demonstrated by its recent approval of tax palliatives for certain categories of businesses across the state.
According to him, government wants to ensure that stakeholders appreciated their obligations as tax payers and partners in progress with government in supporting the developmental agenda of the state government.
The revenue boss emphasised that the Delta State Internal Revenue Consolidation Law 2020 had effectively put all internally generated revenue issues in the state under the Board’s supervision with a view to avoiding multiple demand notices being issued by different government agencies to business entities in the state, as well as reducing the complexities in tax administration.
Earlier, the representatives of IPMAN, Barr. Ikhide Ehighelua and Comrade Augustine Ekhator, while commending the Board for the opportunity of the meeting, lamented the harsh business environment in which their members operate, and what they termed “lack of stakeholder participation ” in drafting regulatory laws by government.
The duo appealed to government for a harmonisation of all revenue laws, especially at the local government level, to ensure some relief for their members.
It would be recalled that as part of the Board’s determination to expand revenue sources in the state, a special committee had been set up to implement the harmonised fees and levies concerning operations in the oil and gas sector in the state.
BY GIOVANNI EMEPHIA
