Ekiti Gov’t Vows Seamless Tax Payment, Begins Land Use Charge Collection In 2024

The Ekiti State Government has committed to addressing multiple taxation issues and streamlining tax payments for residents through system synchronization. This announcement coincides with the state government’s plan to start collecting Land Use Charge in 2024.

Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, the State Governor, represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Tax and Revenue Matters, Mr. Ayodeji Adarabierin, assured that the property tax would be progressive and not burden the state’s populace.

Adarabierin made these statements in Ado Ekiti, the state capital, during a one-day dialogue between the State Government and Ekiti State Tax Governance Network organized by the New Initiative for Social Development (NISD) alongside the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, with support from the UK International Development.

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“The Oyebanji administration has been judiciously utilizing taxpayers’ funds for road construction, infrastructural development, and other projects beneficial to the state’s people. We’ve engaged various informal sector groups to reduce conflicts between them and government authorities,” stated the SSA.

He informed stakeholders about the plan for a unified list of taxes for all taxpayer categories in 2024. “Land use charge isn’t new but categorized,” he added.

NISD Programme Officer, Feyisayo Olorunfemi, disclosed that a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between stakeholders and the government will be signed, seeking government support to bolster revenue generation for community development assistance.

Stakeholders emphasized the mandatory nature of taxes and their readiness to pay, urging the government to facilitate convenient tax collection for both payers and collectors. They also called for transparent tax payments and proper property assessments to establish tax rates, addressing communication gaps on payments.

Participants, including market women, hoteliers, and sawmillers, urged the government to eliminate bottlenecks like multiple taxations currently faced nationwide.

Mr. Bisi Adesua, DG of the Signage and Advertisement Agency, detailed the processes and criteria for signage rate payments and what qualifies as advertisements in the state.

Prof. Christopher Oluwadare stressed the need for convenience in tax and rates collection, emphasizing the necessity for justified tax payments and urging the government to ensure transparency and accountability.

The sawmillers requested government officials’ support and encouraged tree planting to enhance their businesses, boasting over 300 sawmills in the state.

At the workshop, the Ekiti State Internal Revenue Service (IRS) shared that the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) has surpassed N1 billion, aiming to further improve tax system payments in the upcoming year.

Government representatives affirmed plans to meet with newly elected local government chairmen after their inauguration to prevent tax duplication across the state.