I will  improve the lives of Plateau citizens  -Gov Lalong 

By Golok Nanmwa, Jos

Plateau state governor Simon Lalong on Thursday said his administration in line with the her five policy thrust would continuously engage stakeholders in the Plateau project in finding a solution to  challenges faced by citizens of the state .

Lalong made this known while declaring open a one day tax matters workshop and engagement with members of the state executive council and chief Executive of Boards ,Parastatals and agencies of Plateau state .

He said I warmly welcome you all to this important occasion of a one day workshop on tax Matters ,in collaboration with government ministries  departments and agencies ,(MDAs ) with a view to exploring better ways of boosting the state,s Internally Generated revenue( IGR )

Gov Lalong who was represented by his deputy Professor Sonni Tyoden also said ” This engagement would not have come at a better time than this ,given the coming on board of new members of the boards ,Parastatals and agencies of government.

The theme of this engagement ” Collaboration ,synergy, and Legal Compliance Parameters, Optimizing Internally Generated Revenue IGR Collection in  Plateau state for Effective service delivery and development “is not only timely ,but necessary in pur quest as a government to improve the IGR of Plateau for the purpose of accelerating the much needed development of the state .

Government, s commitment to service delivery  in the face of the face of economic misfortune occasioned by the drop of the revenue accruing to the Nation on monthly bases ,necessitated our thinking out of the box under this new reality  ,it is because of this that emphasis has been placed by our rescue administration on revenue generation ,collection and application to meet the needs at hand ,just as man himself cannot survive without the continuous intake of air for life ,no government ,society and community ,can survive without resources ,our successful execution of developmental projects will not come by just mere wishes but through the practical effort of the people to collectively engage in the mobilization of revenue for an effective service delivery to take place 

This workshop and interagency engagement is  therefore aimed at increasing stakeholders awareness on the legal frame work and policy reforms in the area of tax administration in Plateau state ,in line with the provision of the Plateau state Revenue (Consolidation) law ,I signed into law in 2016 .

The meeting will also provide the opportunity for members of the state executive council and heads of MDAs to fully engage on the needed collaborative parameters ,plus their individual and collective roles in fostering the needed synergy for the diligent ,timely ,transparent and leakage free collection ,as well as prompt remittance of IGR ,under the  purviews consistent with  the Budgetary projections of government for 2018 fiscal year 

Our responsibility us not only to provide solutions to present challenges but to bequeath to posterity  workable solutions for envisaged challenges .

Also speaking at the occasion the Executive chairman of the Plateau state Internal Revenue Service Mr Dashe Arlat said the workshop objectives is to increase awareness of participants on the legal framework and policy reforms in the area of tax administration in Plateau state against the backdrop of Plateau state Revenue consolidation law signed into law by Gov Lalong  

He said We are determined to fully engage and rouse members of the state executive council and heads of MDA,s on needed collaborative parameters ,including your individual and collective roles in fostering the needed synergy for the diligent timely and transparent ,/leakage free collection and prompt remittance of IGR under their purview ,consistent with the budgetary projections of the government in 2018 .

We would frankly share ,discuss and adopt a common position that will enhance better understanding and to secure the coo operation of all MDA,s on how you each ought to optimize your performance by meeting and even exceeding  the ministerial revenue targets as enunciated by Gov Simon Lalong .

Commissioner of finance in Plateau state Dr Regina Soemlat said to achieve the IGR objective of Plateau state government within the shortest possible time ,Ministries ,department and agencies must show commitment and determination in revenue generation to strengthen the financial base of the state ,this implies that all MDAs must intensify efforts to tap and harness all revenues to boost the coffers of the state .

Our correspondent reports that papers were presented by Nde Ezekiel Gomos Director ,Jos Business School ,Professor CJ Dakas, Dean faculty of law Unijos,Barrister Akin Omoware ,state coordinator GIZ Plateau ,while   the facilitator  was Barrister Haruun Audu 

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I will  improve the lives of Plateau citizens  -Gov Lalong