Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS) in partnership with Tax Justice Network (TJN) have partnered Kaduna journalists to increase visibility of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).
The head of corporate of communication, KADIRS, Jamilu Muhammad Zakari at a one-day roundtable with the media during the weekend in Kaduna explained that their aim was to increase the understanding and knowledge of media partners on IGR.
He described the media as backbones of tax administration, saying, there is need to enlighten citizens of Kaduna State on tax education and revenue administration.
Earlier, the coordinator of TJN in Kaduna, Mr Simeon Olatunde, said TJN is a network of civil society and media advocating for equity and inclusiveness in Kaduna State.
Olatunde said that the knowledge of tax is scarce among the media partners in Kaduna, which informed the roundtable engagement.
“Over the years, we have been promoting good governance, tax education and awareness to protect and advance taxpayers’ rights and compliance collaboratively with the state government, private sector and development partners to improve and enhance the tax system that is inclusive and citizens driven,” he said.
He further said that the network engaged communities through the Community Development Charter (CDC) process to discuss concerns about tax at the community level.
The coordinator stressed that the TJN’s commitment in advocating development levy and tax for service, is to ensure that a specific amount of money was going back to the community.
On his part, a media resource person, Mr Philip Yatai, said revenue generation is one of the key drivers of development in the world.
He urged the media to carry out sensitization around tax administration in order to improve development projects in the state.
He also urged the media and the citizens of the state to hold the government accountable in ensuring that their taxes are well utilised.
