EKIRS Urges Ekiti LGAs, LCDAs to Anchor Revenue Collection on Proper Legislation

 

The Ekiti State Internal Revenue Service (EKIRS) has urged Local Government Councils (LGAs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the state to ensure that the  revenue they collect are backed by appropriate legislation.

The Chairman of EKIRS, Mr Olaniran Olatona, made the call in Ado-Ekiti during the State Joint Revenue Committee Meeting  attended by Chairmen of LGAs and LCDAs as well as Directors of Finance and Accounts, and Rate Officers from across the state.

Olatona stressed the need for revenue-generating agencies to operate professionally and in accordance with the law in order  for the  rights and obligations of tax payers to be protected at all times  

He encouraged local authorities to ensure that all revenue  collected was supported by appropriate legislation, noting that this would promote transparency and confidence in the revenue administration system.

The EKIRS Chairman assured the local authorities of the Service’s continued support, describing EKIRS as a “big brother” to the councils.

He encouraged the councils to seek clarification from the Service whenever necessary and learn from other local authorities across the country that had recorded progress in revenue administration.

Speaking on the topic, “Review of Revenue Collection and Reporting by Local Governments and LCDAs,” the EKIRS Director of Planning, Research and Statistics , Mr Wasiu Mohammed, said the Ekiti State Revenue Administration Law 2025 had provided a framework for effective revenue administration at the local level.

Mohammed said the provisions included harmonised revenue heads, cashless and e-receipted collection, delegation and revenue-sharing arrangements between the councils and EKIRS, as well as mechanisms for coordination and reconciliation.

Also speaking on “Taxes and Levies Approved for Collection by State and Local Government,” the Head of Direct Assessment, Mr Oluwasegun Ogunsanya, said the objective of local revenue administration should go beyond revenue generation to ensuring that the appropriate revenue was collected from the right taxpayer, at the approved rate and through the appropriate authority.

Ogunsanya urged revenue officers and consultants to adhere to approved taxes and levies, ensure proper documentation and avoid practices that could lead to duplication or improper collection of revenue.

He also encouraged them to comply with approved procedures on road collections, issuance of receipts, electronic payments and statutory rates, while maintaining professionalism in their dealings with taxpayers.

In her presentation, the Legal Adviser and Secretary to the Governing Board of EKIRS, Mrs Emmanuella Akinyemi, outlined the functions of the State Joint Revenue Committee.

She said the Committee was responsible, among other things, for implementing the decisions of the Joint Revenue Board (JRB), advising the JRB, State and Local Governments on revenue matters, harmonising tax administration across the state and local governments, and enlightening members of the public on state and local government revenue matters.

In his vote of thanks, the Chairman of Ikere Local Government Area, Hon. Olu Adamolekun, appreciated the participants for their attendance and cooperation, while commending EKIRS for hosting the meeting.