The Hon. Commissioner for Finance and Coordinating Economy Mr Chuck Chuckuemeka has assured of the willingness of his ministry to partner with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) Owerri District Society to improve the revenue base of Imo State.
The Commissioner gave the assurance during an interactive meeting between his Ministry, the Imo State Internal Revenue Service (IIRS), the Office of the Accountant- General of Imo State and the Chairman of ICAN Owerri District Society.
The Ministry Public Relations Officer,Ogaraku Chimezie disclosed this in a release he issued on Tuesday and availed Daily Nigerian Horn.
According to the release,Chuckuemeka stated that with the new tax law signed and gazetted by the Federal Government, the role of ICAN in sensitization and awareness creation on its economic benefits is enormous.
He pointed out that as part of the plan to sensitize and get Imo people ready for the new tax regimen, his ministry and the IIRS is considering organizing an awareness seminar and workshop for stakeholders in tax administration and assured that ICAN will be meaningfully engaged as resource persons and collaborators. Commissioner Chuckuemeka urged the Institute to come up with proposals on other areas of collaboration they may deem necessary.
In his contribution, the Executive Chairman Imo State Internal Revenue Service, Mr. Justice Okoye noted that as tax consultants, the institute has a role to play towards the smooth and effective take off of the new tax law.
He urged them to sensitize Imo Industrialists and others residing and doing business outside the state on the need to key into the provisions of the Withholding Tax and other untapped sources of revenue for the benefit of the state.
The IIRS boss advised the Institute to formalize their registration with the state, pay their professional fees and be eligible to tap from the numerous opportunities that government has to offer.
Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of ICAN Owerri District Society Dr. A. N Obi expressed the willingness of ICAN to partner with government in anyway possible and contribute their quota towards the actualization of the Shared Prosperity Agenda of the state government. He stated that a three member committee to drive this partnership has been inaugurated and urged the Commissioner and his team to timely consider their proposal when they turn it in.
The meeting was attended by the Accountant-General of the State Dr. Linus Okafor, principal officers of IIRS and the ICAN.
