The Executive Chairman of the Cross River State Internal Revenue Service, Mr. Manuel Chris Ogar has said his agency generated N13billion in year 2012. The agency also generated 9.4billion and N7.6billion in the preceding year 2011 and 2010 respectively.
Mr. Ogar made this disclosure in an exclusive interview in his office. According to him, “henceforth, all payments whether tax or any other form of payment would be electronically done through the introduction of standard smart card”.
This, he said, will carry a new tax payer identification number which will be unique throughout the country comprising of 10 digits biometric numbers. He regretted that the department did not meet its target in 2012 and expressed hope that with the introduction of other related products this year, the prospect is very bright.
He said that the department is working out modalities for collaboration with all the Ministries, Parastatal and MDAs to be able to annex enough revenue for the state.
He regretted that most rich people in our society today are tax evaders adding that this has greatly affected the economy of the nation. He said the situation poses a great challenge to the nation and called for a change of attitude.
“Also worrisome is a situation where employers of labor do not remit the exact tax deducted from their employees. This attitude is so common in Nigeria. In recent past, governments never bordered about tax collection because of dependence on oil money”. He said.
The internal revenue also disclose that the State government has approved the sum of N50 million for the acquisition of new vehicle plate numbers for motorists and other road users in the state as that date for phasing out the old ones approaches.
It would be recalled that the existing plate numbers for motorists, motorbikes and other users will expire come September 30, 2013.
He said “the approval was given to my department in order to begin the process of acquiring new plate numbers to avoid rush and complaints of out of stock”.
Mr. Ogar said that very soon his department will begin the process of mounting awareness campaign to sensitize motorists and other road users on the need to acquire a new plate number on or before the deadline.
He said that the new plate number will cost N12, 500 to get while those already with old plate numbers will pay N10,000 to replace them.
He said the new law will affect government, corporate bodies or private individuals in the country as soon as the deadline expires.
He said that the phasing out of the existing plate numbers is a national directive which must be obeyed and complied by all state governments without exception.
The new plate number, he said, is in the interest of the people and must be adhered to accordingly no matter the position one occupies in the society.
The internal revenue boss also commended the e-payment system which is the approved mode of payment saying it will facilitate easy payment for procurement of the new plate numbers, “the future of any economy lies in the introduction of electronic means of payment to reduce fraud as well as reduction in carrying cash at all times”. He said.
He commended the state government for all the support it had given to his service over the years, adding that “our staffs are now poised to achieve more in the years ahead”.
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